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News Release
New Checklist Helps Faith-Based and Community Organizations Prepare for an Influenza PandemicHHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the release of the �Faith-Based and Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Checklist.� This tool provides guidance for religious organizations, social service agencies that are faith-based and community organizations to plan for the impact of a pandemic on their organization and mission. �The collaboration of faith-based and community organizations with public health agencies will be important in protecting the public if and when a pandemic occurs,� Secretary Leavitt said. �These organizations provide vital support services and can help build awareness of the pandemic influenza threat. By working together now, we�ll be better equipped to serve communities in the future.� The new checklist identifies steps faith-based and community organizations can take to prepare for a pandemic and could be helpful in other types of emergencies. The checklist was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and preparedness suggestions include:
Secretary Leavitt released the guide at Pandemic Planning Summits in Vermont and West Virginia with state officials and community leaders today. These summits are the latest in a series of forums that will be convened in each state over the next few months. The release of this new tool builds on the Administration�s overall planning to increase pandemic preparedness. President Bush has outlined a coordinated government strategy that includes the establishment of the new International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, stockpiling of vaccines and antiviral medications, expansion of early-warning systems domestically and abroad and new funding and initiatives for local and state level preparedness. In December, Secretary Leavitt met with senior officials from all 50 states and launched a series of preparedness summits to be held in every state over the next several months with the goal of enhancing state and local preparedness. In addition to today�s checklist, Secretary Leavitt has issued preparedness checklists for individuals and families, businesses, and state and local health departments to aid their pandemic preparedness efforts. A copy of the �Faith-Based and Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist,� other checklists and pandemic planning information is available online at www.pandemicflu.gov. ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news. Last revised: January 12, 2006 |