ABSTRACT
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)1 has an overall responsibility for protecting the health of Americans and providing them with essential human services and also to provide leadership in international programs, initiatives, and policies that deal with public health as well as emergency preparedness and response (Figure 15.1). This includes preventing and mitigating the health consequences of an attack by weapons of mass destruction (WMD)—nuclear, biological agents, and chemicals. For the most part, HHS activities and facilities center on general health issues and potential natural problems, but the training, labs, and other facilities would also be utilized if needed to deal with a WMD incident.
