Public Health Archives

Reimagining Readiness: The Future of Emergency Management in Homeland Defense

Cody Santiago August 6, 2025

Underdeveloped civilian emergency management integration with Department of Defense resources results in gaps in preparedness, intelligence-sharing, and response coordination. A more integrated framework can incorporate emergency management as a core pillar of homeland defense, improve intelligence-sharing, and strengthen resilience.

The Optimism Bias Trap: Rethinking Threat Preparedness

Joshua Sullivan August 6, 2025

Mass violence increasingly targets ordinary people performing routine duties in uniform, behind the wheel of marked vehicles, or responding to emergency calls. This evolution in tactics calls for a fundamental reassessment of preparedness strategies. Yet, a troubling obstacle remains within many public safety agencies: optimism bias.

Global Health Crises: Leadership Matters

Richard Serino and Michelle Pratt July 30, 2025

Without strong leadership, health systems are susceptible to policy missteps, financial pressures, and inadequate responses during emergencies. As crises develop and clearer data on risk and vulnerability emerge, effective leaders must act decisively and foster cross-sector collaboration. Crisis leadership can be a catalyst for global resilience.

Not Optional: The Public Health Consequences of Dismantling Emergency Infrastructure

Andrew D. Pickett and Raphael M. Barishansky July 30, 2025

During the COVID-19 crisis, decades of investment in healthcare emergency infrastructure—funded through two key federal programs—allowed emergency operations centers to mobilize rapidly, hospital coalitions to coordinate care, and surveillance systems to monitor community spread. However, 2025 federal proposals threaten to dismantle this funding, significantly undermining the nation’s ability to respond

Wildfires: The Growing Public Health Threat

Robert LaMacchia July 23, 2025

Protecting people from wildfire smoke is a necessary extension of environmental resilience and public health strategy. Public health systems must adapt to effects from respiratory issues and other vulnerable populations as a measure of preparedness.

A Seven-Phase Framework for Organizational Resilience

Michelle Colosimo July 16, 2025

Organizations cannot always dictate the course of a crisis—whether an incident, active threat, or natural disaster—but they can shape their own readiness and response. This seven-phase framework equips leaders to protect their teams, stay mission-focused, and rebound with resilience.

Communication and Decision-Making During COVID: Lessons From Virginia

Erin Sutton July 16, 2025

Traditional hierarchical structures present challenges when crises span jurisdictions, agencies, and organizations. Lessons learned from Virginia’s COVID-19 response revealed a different path forward—one that prioritized communication design and demonstrated that thoughtful organizational coordination can improve decision-making and life-saving outcomes.

Integrating Research Labs Into Emergency Response

Joshua Dise and Anthony Falzarano July 9, 2025

In today’s complex threat environment, the ability to move from pathogen detection to action depends on infrastructure and intentional integration between laboratory science and first response. Fostering cross-disciplinary relationships now—before the next biological crisis—can create an agile, informed, and resilient health security system capable of protecting populations, agriculture, and ecosystems

Mitigating Emerging and Re-Emerging Public Health Threats

Raphael M. Barishansky July 9, 2025

Preparedness is not a luxury—it is essential for global health security. Emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and re-emerging threats like measles and polio demand coordinated, sustained action. Strengthening health systems and embedding preparedness into public health efforts will better protect lives and livelihoods.

Law Enforcement Collaboration Within Multidisciplinary Teams

Richard Schoeberl and Anthony (Tony) Mottola June 25, 2025

Multidisciplinary teams are inherently collaborative and benefit intricate police cases and vulnerable populations. Adopting the expertise of professionals in medicine, social work, forensics, and more, these teams deliver a more thorough and efficient response than a single agency could accomplish independently.

Managing Animal Loss: Emergency Carcass Operations

Joshua Dise and Marshal Wilson June 11, 2025

Carcass management is rarely top of mind for emergency managers, but during mass animal deaths, it tests preparedness, coordination, and public trust. Including it in all-hazards planning closes a critical gap and boosts community resilience.

A Proven Path: Scouts and the Operational Value of Prepared Youth

Ethan Beaty June 4, 2025

Scouts have been trained to stay calm under pressure, take meaningful action in moments of uncertainty, and support others in times of crisis. Their role in emergency response should not be underestimated.

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