New Report Measures States’ Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies

A new report titled Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, released by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), evaluates national and state readiness to handle public health emergencies. The report highlights the performance of states across three tiers based on 10 indicators, including healthcare system readiness, public health funding, and community water system safety.

Key Findings

The report categorizes states into high, middle, and low-performance tiers:

• High-Performance Tier: 21 states and the District of Columbia, including Colorado, Florida, and Washington.
• Middle-Performance Tier: 16 states, including California, Texas, and New York.
• Low-Performance Tier: 13 states, including Alaska, Louisiana, and Michigan.

Areas of Strength

• Nurse Licensure Compact: 41 states now allow nurses to work across state lines with a single license, enhancing emergency response capabilities.
• Public Health Accreditation: Most states have achieved accreditation, improving governance and coordination during emergencies.
• Water Safety: 95% of households in most states receive water from systems without safety violations.

Areas for Improvement

• Avoidable Mortality: High rates of preventable deaths highlight disparities in healthcare access and public health infrastructure.
• Public Health Funding: 14 states reduced funding in FY 2024, exacerbating challenges in emergency preparedness.
• Flu Vaccination Rates: Only 47% of the population was vaccinated during the 2023-2024 flu season, far below the 70% target.

Recommendations

The report emphasizes the need for:

• Stable funding for public health infrastructure and emergency preparedness programs.
• Reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
• Efforts to reduce health disparities and improve demographic data collection.
• Increased vaccination rates and stockpiling of medical supplies.

“Strengthening communities for public health emergencies requires sustained investment, planning, and multi-sector cooperation,” said Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of TFAH.

For more details, read the full report at Trust for America’s Health.