health

Most states unprepared for radiation emergency

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 28, 2011

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The majority of states are ill-prepared for a public health emergency involving radiation, leaving much of the U.S. at greater risk if such an event occurs, says a study published in a supplement to the March issue of the American Medical Association's Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness (link).

Preparedness levels vary by state, but those with nuclear power plants are better prepared overall than states without them. Of 38 states surveyed by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, 45% have no radiation emergency response plan beyond those for specific nuclear power plants. Among states with plans, few address surveillance to assess the health impacts of radiation in the aftermath of such an event.

The report calls for more education and training, collaboration among different levels of government and sharing of best practices among states.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/28/hlbf0328.htm.

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