At the last of May, the U.S. Depar...

At the last of May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced awards totalling $498 million to strengthen the ability of hospitals and other health care facilities to answer to bioterror attacks, infectious diseases, and natural disasters that could cause mass casualties. Health departments in the states, territories, and metropolitan areas receiving supplys will be expected to improve the readiness of hospitals and other health care facilities to manage mass casualties. Recipients will use the supplys to increase coordination on disease reporting among hospitals and local or state health departments; enhance coordination between public health and hospital-based laboratories; and integrate the communications capabilities of these entities. A table containing the breakdown of funding is available online at http://wwwhhsgov/news/press/2004pres/20040524html

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