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Last updated on Wednesday, September 21, 2016
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging residents and communities to take steps to prepare for health emergencies as part of National Preparedness Month.
State and local health departments play a critical role in preparing the state to respond to any emergency that may threaten the health and safety of its citizens, whether naturally occurring, such as a disease outbreak or severe weather event, or an act of terrorism. At ISDH, the Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response division includes experts charged with preparing the state to handle all health and medical aspects of responding to these threats, as well as supporting local healthcare and public health partners in their preparedness efforts.
In recent years, the ISDH team has been instrumental in coordinating disease intervention activities and providing support services in response to the Scott County HIV outbreak, as well as working with healthcare, public health and other partners on Ebola and Zika virus preparedness. The division also works with partners to prepare for disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes or ice storms. In the event of a chemical, biological or radiological incident, the division works with federal, state and local partners to distribute medical countermeasures to the public.
"The members of the ISDH Preparedness team are truly the unsung heroes of our efforts to protect public health in Indiana," said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. "Emergency plans are only as good as the people behind them, and Hoosiers can sleep well knowing that our team will be able to quickly mobilize resources to halt the spread of disease and keep our residents safe."
National Preparedness Month is observed every September to remind people to prepare for emergencies that could affect them where they live, work and visit. This year's theme is "Don't Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today" and focuses on youth, older adults and individuals with disabilities or functional needs. Learn more at www.ready.gov.
For important health and safety information, visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
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