Bioterrorism: Information Technology Strategy Could Strengthen Federal Agencies' Abilities to Respond to Public Health Emergencies.

摘要

The October 2001 anthrax attacks, the recent outbreak of the virulent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and increased awareness that terrorist groups may be capable of releasing life threatening biological agents have prompted efforts to improve our nations preparedness for, and response to, public health emergencies - including bioterrorism. GAO was asked, among other things, to identify federal agencies information technology (IT) initiatives to support our nations readiness to deal with bioterrorism. Specifically, we compiled an inventory of such activities, determined the range of these coordination activities with other agencies, and identified the use of health care standards in these efforts.