Poll Shows Many Unready for Public Health Crisis

A recent survey sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA) indicates that about one-third of Americans have made no preparations for a public health emergency and nearly 90 percent have prepared less than they think they should.

Among the survey's key findings:

• Thirty-two percent of the public have taken no special steps to prepare for a public health emergency that could leave them short of water, food or medication.
• An 87 percent majority said they knew they had not done enough and could do more to prepare for a public health emergency.
• Forty percent of respondents said they had taken steps to prepare in the past, such as after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but had since let their plans lapse.
• More than one-quarter (27 percent) said they were prepared for an emergency, but only about half of them (14 percent) had the three-day supply of food, water and medication currently recommended by the American Red Cross for general disaster planning.