ABSTRACT
Abstract Public health has reached a higher level of recognition in the past decade as one of the necessary components of a comprehensive national security plan. In order to merge its skills and talents with those of more traditional public safety organizations, public health has had to alter its traditional concerns and practices by incorporating public safety strategies and practices, such as the national incident management system (NIMS) and the incident command system (ICS). While few, if any, debate whether public health has a legitimate role in assuring national security and public safety, public safety techniques have been seen by many as new or
Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................149 Introduction ......................................................................................................150 Brief History and Signi‘cance of Public Health ................................................. 151 Public Health and All-Hazards: Old Concepts Become New ............................. 155 Public Health All-Hazards: As Usual .................................................................158 References .........................................................................................................162
additional for public health. e authors contend that, throughout its history, public health has been very adaptable to new situations and tools. In fact, the practices and responsibilities of public safety are actually business as usual for public health. e vitality of public health, however, should not be viewed through a public safety lens. A robust public health system is a worthy and necessary goal in its own right, and will improve our nation’s capacity to respond to emergencies of any origin.
