Before disaster strikes, people and their communities need to be prepared for the threats to health that come with disasters and emergencies. They need to be ready to protect themselves and remain resilient in the face of these threats.
We all can work together to achieve National Health Security. Individuals, families, communities and community-based organizations, the private sector, academia, and all levels of government, all have important roles to play in addressing the diverse challenges we face in catastrophic incidents.
Charting a Path Forward and Measuring Progress
The National Health Security Strategy and Implementation Plan
The goal of the National Health Security Strategy (NHSS) is to strengthen and sustain communities’ abilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. The NHSS Implementation Plan lists activities will help us achieve this goal. Learn More
The National Health Security Review
The National Health Security Review (NHSR) is an evaluation of progress made—and persistent challenges—in national health security over the past four years. The NHSR findings informed development of the priorities identified in the NHSS 2015-2018. Learn More
Elements of National Health Security
Build and Sustain Healthy, Resilient Communities
Communities that effectively strengthen public health and healthcare systems and improve overall health can better withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity. Communities can become more resilient by strengthening social connections, increasing coordination and building a culture of resilience. Learn More
Enhance the National Capability to Produce and Effectively Use Both Medical Countermeasures and Non-pharmaceutical Interventions
Countermeasures protect communities from and limit the health impacts of CBRN attacks, infectious disease outbreaks, and other incidents. The nation needs to be able to rapidly develop, manufacture, evaluate and deploy them. Learn More
Ensure Comprehensive Health Situational Awareness to Support Decision Making Before Incidents and During Response and Recovery Operations
Effective situational awareness improves decision making. The nation can enhance situational awareness through data sharing and integration; innovative tools and systems; effective data management; and in other ways. Learn More
Enhancing the Integration and Effectiveness of the Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Management Systems
These systems can become more effective in a crisis when they strengthen healthcare coalitions; improve everyday systems; meet the needs of at-risk individuals; and enhance our volunteer and professional workforce. Learn More
Strengthening Global Health Security
The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and diseases can be transmitted across boarders more quickly than ever before. The nation can become more secure by supporting implementation of the WHO International Health Regulations; strengthening national capacities to detect and prevent the spread of diseases; and improving national capacity to respond to crises. Learn More
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Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions on national health security. Our Frequently Asked Questions section explains the concept of national health security, provides details on the National Health Security Strategy and Implementation Plan, explains the methods for evaluating our level of national health security and more. Learn More
NHSS Resource Library
Learn about the laws, strategies, reports, projects and other resources that support national health security. This information addresses national health security at many levels of government and for many different types of communities. Find out more about each of the key elements of national health security. Learn More
