Improving Rural Community Preparedness for the Chronic Health Consequences of Bioterrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies.

摘要

The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, and the anthrax attacks in mid-September 2001 led to numerous efforts to improve public health emergency preparedness. However, most of this work has focused on meeting acute healthcare needs immediately following mass trauma events. Less attention has been focused on the impact of public health emergencies on nonacute healthcare needs, particularly those of underserved, vulnerable populations. Because of their limited access to healthcare services compared to most urban areas, rural communities may be especially burdened by the longer-term impact of public health emergencies. Effective bioterrorism preparedness in rural communities is a significant issue for the nation since 65 million Americans live in these communities. Because of their remote locations and limited resources, rural communities' healthcare and social services needs differ from urban communities when it comes to recovery from mass casualty events.