Implementing the Homeland Security Presidential Directive - 21: The Next-Generation of Nationwide Biosurveillance Capability

Implementing the Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 21: The Next-Generation of Nationwide Biosurveillance Capability.

 DM Sosin, AT Fleischauer, D Giles, PS Diaz, D Baden, SC Zeigler, MS Lawlor, C Weaver

 Biosurveillance Coordination Unit, Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333

 Background: Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 mandates development of an integrated national biosurveillance capability to provide early warning and characterization of urgent events in near real-time.  CDC is leading the development of a nationwide biosurveillance strategy for human health and is engaging all levels of government and private stakeholders to plan for scientifically sound enhancements. 

 Methods: The process used to develop this strategic plan has five steps: define biosurveillance in the context of public health surveillance and investigation; assess current biosurveillance capability; identify requirements for future biosurveillance capability by working with partners across the public and private sectors; conduct a gap analysis that compares current capability and stakeholder requirements; and develop a feasible strategy for filling gaps that leverages past investments and multi-sector innovation.  Multiple working groups were established to achieve broad input and support for the plan: the National BioSurveillance Advisory Committee (NBSAC), a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee to the Director, CDC; the Federal HSPD-21 Biosurveillance Work Group, comprised of Federal Departments and Agencies with a stake in human health-related biosurveillance; the State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Working Group, representing public health and medical practice; and a series of CDC internal working groups.

 Discussion: The plan is currently in development with a due date of Dec. 31, 2008 and a preliminary report due May 30, 2008.  This session will provide an update of progress to date.