Reports

Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

This 20th edition of TFAH’s Ready or Not report measures states' emergency preparedness and makes recommendations about how to strengthen the nation's public health system. Sustained investment in public health infrastructure and preparedness is needed to protect lives during disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

Ready or Not 2022: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

TFAH's Ready or Not report series provides an annual assessment of states' level of readiness to protect the public's health during emergencies. This year's report placed fewer states in the top performance tier for public health preparedness as compared to the 2021 report. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the critical need to invest in public health infrastructure and the social determinants of health.

Ready or Not 2021: Protecting the Public’s Health From Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

COVID-19 Policy Response Brief

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, emerged in late 2019 and swiftly brought about the worst global public health emergency in a century, inflicting an extraordinary toll on the lives, livelihoods, and well-being of people across the globe.

Special Analysis: How Healthy Is Your Congressional District?

This analysis provides a snapshot of 11 preventive health measures reported by congressional district based on 2017 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey data. These data highlight areas in which policymakers and health advocates can focus their efforts to improve the health status of entire communities.

Ready or Not 2020: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism

Ready or Not provides an annual assessment of states’ level of readiness to respond to public health emergencies and recommends policy actions to ensure that everyone’s health is protected during such events. This 2020 edition reports overall preparedness improvement but also identifies areas that need attention.

Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism, 2019

One lesson from recent events is that emergencies happen. And happen often. From disease outbreaks to natural disasters to man-made crises, the stakes are high: Americans face serious health risks and even death with increasing regularity. Therefore, as a nation, it’s critical to ask, “Are we prepared?”

Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism

The report finds the country does not invest enough to maintain strong, basic core capabilities for health security readiness. It includes a review of state and federal public health preparedness policies.

Ready or Not?

The report found that the nation is often caught off guard when a new threat arises, which then requires diverting attention and resources away from other priorities.

Issue Brief: Top Actions the United States Should Take to Prepare for MERS-CoV and Other Emerging Infections