For Immediate Release

Contact: John M. Martino
Phone Number:  (215) 895-1186
Date: 12/05/02

Could Bolstering Biodefense Improve the Overall Public Health Infrastructure?

-- A University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Health Tip --

Could the government’s war on bioterrorism strengthen America’s overall public health infrastructure? Military initiatives have spread many new technologies throughout society, and public health preparedness may be no exception, according to Dr. Robert Field, director of the health policy program at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

“Examples are numerous, including the interstate highway system, space exploration and the Internet,” says Dr. Field. “We may see an unexpected, but welcome, overall health dividend.” 

Some public health officials warn that an excessive focus on biodefense could shortchange traditional health protection efforts. “Certainly, this remains a concern,” says Dr. Field. “Naturally occurring diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS, and West Nile virus are threats to many more people than man-made biological attacks.” However, he believes that a strengthened infrastructure to defend against biological attack could have much wider applications.“

The entire public health infrastructure needs to be upgraded,” he says. “We saw how vulnerable we were to the anthrax attacks. Biodefense will involve a massive effort to better identify diseases, to educate clinicians, to provide effective first lines of defense for health centers and hospitals and to better provide drugs and other supplies nationwide. Once we have made this massive investment, we will have a system that can respond to traditional health threats, as well. The interstate highways were built to move military equipment, and the Internet was created to send defense communications. Now, we all benefit.”

“I don’t think the Bush administration is presently focused on overall public health; they are specifically focused on bioterrorism,” adds Dr. Field. “However, in the long run, say five or 10 years in the future, the focus on bioterrorism could result in a larger overall pot of resources, and the slice that goes to traditional public health will hopefully grow.

”Nevertheless, he adds a note of caution. “There’s a very real concern that in the short-run we are going to ignore traditional public health threats in our zeal to prepare for bioterrorism,” says Dr. Field. “Resources could be diverted from important programs, such as prevention efforts, and this could present a risk. We need to make sure that all health threats, both man-made and natural, are addressed. The overall health of the country is inextricably connected with its strength.” 

To arrange an interview with Dr. Field, contact him directly at (215) 596-7618 or e-mail: r.field@usip.edu

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