Monitoring USG action on readiness and response
Preparedness Pulsepoints | Monitoring USG action on readiness and response
Published by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
Editors: Diane Meyer, RN, MPH; Amanda Kobokovich, MPH & Divya Hosangadi, MPH
November 13, 2018
Public Health & Healthcare Preparedness
PRESS RELEASE
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of First Ebola Fingerstick Test with Portable Reader. This is the second Ebola rapid antigen fingerstick test available under EUA, but the first that uses a portable battery-operated reader, which can help provide clear diagnostic results outside of laboratories and in areas where patients are likely to be treated.  (FDA, 11/9/18)
RESEARCH
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Pakistan, January 2017-September 2018. During January 2017−September 2018, WPV1 cases in Pakistan continued to decrease compared with previous periods. However, environmental surveillance continues to detect polioviruses, an indication of children who were missed for immunization, as well as poor vaccination program performance.  (MMWR, 11/9/18)
RESEARCH
Tobacco Product Use Among Adults - United States, 2017. In 2017, an estimated 47.4 million US adults (19.3%) currently used any tobacco product. Among current tobacco product users, 86.7% (41.1 million) smoked combustible tobacco products, and 19.0% (9.0 million) used two or more tobacco products.  (MMWR, 11/9/18)
PRESS RELEASE
CMS Proposes Changes to Streamline and Strengthen Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Regulations. Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing significant regulatory revisions to streamline the 2016 managed care regulatory framework. The changes reflect a broader strategy to relieve regulatory burdens; support state flexibility and local leadership; and promote transparency, flexibility, and innovation in care delivery.  (CMS, 11/8/18)
PRESS RELEASE
FEMA Releases PrepTalk on Healthcare Emergency Preparedness and Response. FEMA and its emergency management partner organizations today released the video of Dr. Sheri Fink's "Triage, Ethics, And Operations: Healthcare Emergency Preparedness and Response," from the third PrepTalk symposium event on Sept. 6, 2018. In her PrepTalk, Dr. Fink shares those two real-world case studies that demonstrate the value of situational awareness, the complexities of prioritizing limited resources, and the importance of ensuring systems can effectively support operational decisions.  (FEMA, 11/8/18)
PRESS RELEASE
HHS Officials Deliver Remarks at the Fifth Annual Global Health Security Agenda Ministerial Meeting. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar delivered a video message at the Fifth Annual Global Health Security Agenda (GSHA) Ministerial Meeting. His remarks focused on the Trump Administration's commitment to strengthening global health security.  (HHS, 11/7/18)

PRESS RELEASE
US Agency For International Development Administrator Mark Green Announces the Completion of the Clean-Up of Agent Orange In Danang, Vietnam. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is proud to announce the completion of the environmental remediation of dioxin (Agent Orange) at Danang Airport. This achievement marks the end of the final phase of a historic, six-year, $110-million project between the United States and Vietnam.  (USAID, 11/7/18)
NEWS
Conversation with CDC Director Robert Redfield: The Latest on the DRC Ebola Outbreak. Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), joined Dr. Tom Inglesby, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, at a November 5 congressional seminar at
the Dirksen Senate Office Building to discuss the latest events in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  (Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, 11/5/18)
BLOG
Partnerships Help Save Lives When Disaster Strikes. Since 2002, CDC's Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program has provided funding and guidance to 50 states, four cities, and eight territorial health departments across the nation to protect communities. Planning and exercising plans help ensure that health departments are ready to respond and save lives when emergencies occur.  (CDC, 11/5/18)
Homeland Security & Disaster Preparedness
NEWS
Lower House Poised to Take Upper Hand on National Security. A record number of veterans and national security professionals ran for and were elected to the House of Representatives, continuing a shift away from the Senate and towards the House in the area of foreign affairs leadership.  (Defense One, 11/8/18)
REPORT
Navy Report to Congress Aligns with Current Assessments of Arctic Threat Levels and Capabilities Required to Execute DOD's Strategy. The Navy is responsible for providing ready forces for current operations and contingency response in the Arctic Ocean. According to data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the coverage of sea ice in the Arctic has diminished significantly since 1981. This could potentially increase maritime activities there, leading to a need for a greater U.S. military and homeland security presence in the region.  (GAO, 11/8/18)
WEBCAST
Blue Ribbon Panel Study on Biodefense. On November 14, 2018, the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense will host the following meeting: Biodefense Indicators: Progress in Implementing Key Elements of the National Blueprint for Biodefense.  (NACCHO, 11/18)
Science & Technology Policy
NEWS
Do Kitchen Items Shed Antimicrobial Nanoparticles After Use? Because of their antimicrobial and antifungal properties, silver nanoparticles measuring between one and 100 nanometers (billionth of a meter) in size, are being incorporated outside the United States into a variety of kitchen products known as food contact materials (FCMs).However, the use of these items raises concerns that the nanoparticles in them will migrate into foods and the environment, and in turn, whether this poses risks to human health.  (NIST, 11/8/18)
NEWS
Science Candidates Prevail in US Midterm Elections. At least 11 candidates with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering or medicine won election to the US House of Representatives on 6 November - including several who had never before run for political office.  (Nature, 11/6/18)
This Week's Hearings
The Local, State, and Federal Response to the PFAS Crisis in Michigan. US Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Federal Spending, Oversight & Emergency Management. 11/13/18, 10:00 AM. Loosemore Auditorium, Grand Valley State University Richard M. DeVos Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  More.
Findings and Recommendations of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy. US Senate Committee on Armed Services. 11/27/18, 9:30 AM. Dirksen Office Senate Building, Room SD-G50.  More.
Reducing Health Care Costs: Improving Affordability Through Innovation. US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. 11/28/18, 10:00 AM. Dirksen Office Senate Building, Room 430.  More.
 

 

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