Who's in Charge?: Leadership During Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises(Praeger Security International)

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments 1. Understanding Leadership An Overview of Leadership Studying Public Health Leadership Political Leaders and Bureaucrats Defining Leadership 2. The Long March to Improving the Public's Health Infectious Disease Epidemics Vaccines: A Fortunate Coincidence An Unfortunate Side Effect of Hospitals Early Public Health Epidemics in the Newly Formed United States Sweeping Social Changes in Europe The Father of Epidemiology Crossing Borders: European Influences on Early American Public Health Efforts Awakenings: A Long-Awaited Breakthrough The Germ Theory of Disease The Civil War and the Changing Face of U.S. Public Health Postwar Public Health Developments The Beginnings of International Health Pandemic Influenza in the Early 20th Century The Beginnings of the World Health Organization The HIV/AIDS Pandemic Public Health Past, Present, and Future 3. Microbes as Weapons Biowarfare and Bioterrorism through the Ages Advances in the 20th Century The Role of the United States The Role of the Soviet Union Terrorist Acts by Groups and Individuals Emerging Concerns 4. Rising to the Occasion Political Leadership during Infectious Disease Crises Anthrax Attack, Fall 2001, Hamilton Township, New Jersey Mayor Glen D. Gilmore, Hamilton Township, New Jersey Cryptosporidium Outbreak, Spring 1993, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mayor John Norquist, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Spring 2003, Toronto, Canada Deputy Mayor Case Ootes, Toronto, Canada Conclusion 5. Success Favors the Prepared Public Health Leader Anthrax Attacks in New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, and New York New Jersey Florida Maryland New York City Cryptosporidium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin SARS in Toronto, Canada Conclusion 6. Confronting Uncertainty The 1976—77 Swine Flu Dilemma The 1997 Avian Flu Dilemma The 2009 Swine Flu Dilemma Leaders' Responses to Disease Threats Information Required for Decision Making Conclusion 7. Part I: The Vital Link between Animal and Human Health The Impact of Animal Health Crises Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Views of the Crisis Conclusion Part II: The Vital Link between Animal and Human Health The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis Views of the Crisis Summing Up Conclusion 8. Reaching the Masses Risk Assessment, Perception, and Communication Smallpox Outbreak in New York City, 1947 The Changing Media From the Media Perspective Anthrax Outbreak in New Jersey, 2001 Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Wisconsin, 1993 SARS Outbreak in Toronto, 2003 Conclusion 9. All Hands on Deck Worst Case Scenarios Legal Challenges of Public Health and Bioterrorism Improving Preparedness A Better Model Experts' Advice Public Health and Emergency Management Who's in Charge? Epidemics and Bioterrorist Attacks: Leadership Challenges Public Health, the Military, and the National Guard Conclusion 10. Conclusion Critical Need: Prepared Elected Officials Relationships between Leaders When Science Does Not Have the Answers The Public Communication Roles of Different Leaders Legal and Organizational Structures and Crisis Leadership Training Elected Officials Notes Index

About the Author :
Laura H. Kahn is a physician and research scholar in the Program on Science and Global Security at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ.

Review :
A perfect text for schools in public health, or as a reference for elected officials at every level of government, the book shows how each event developed step-by-step to pinpoint specific leadership issues. Engaging and absorbing, the work presents official reports, medical literature, first-person accounts from officials and journalists, and discussions of the role of law enforcement and the military during health care emergencies. The book can be used as a supplemental text for courses in public health, or as a reference for elected officials at every level. Kahn's examples of the generalities between the political and bureaucratic gravity fields in government is expanded in the first few chapters into an excellent framework of historical facts and lessons learned. . . . If you want to better understand the 'how' and 'why' behind the United States' health care responses to H1N1 Influenza Outbreak and the Haitian earthquake disaster, read this book! This well-written, thoroughly researched, and authoritative book will interest public health and medical professionals and public policy students, along with the general public. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. Who's in Charge? is written in an easy, informal style that can be understood by readers with minimal knowledge about medicine and public health….the content is strong, and the result is a useful, thought-provoking book and valuable resource for public officials. The volume also raises a number of important policy issues that warrant attention and action—or at least serious reflection—by those likely to be in charge the next time disaster comes calling. Who's in Charge? Leadership During Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises is a well researched and easily readable book that offers valuable insight into many leadership challenges that politicians, health authorities, and medical scientists faced when dealing with some large and widely publicized health crises. … This text is a valuable contribution.