Welcome to Get Ready!

You may have noticed the increase in Web sites, government plans and information in recent months responding to the threat of pandemic influenza. The threat is a real one, and it's great that the U.S. government has made the issue a priority. But most of the federal information out there is too wordy and not written for average Americans.

To test the influenza planning materials that are available now, we asked our friends and families to check out some of the government sites. The findings weren't surprising: our testers couldn't understand most of it, nor figure out how to apply it to themselves. For example, materials on the government sites contain checklists and lists of items to stockpile in case of a flu pandemic, but no specifics. How much bottled water and canned food should a family of four stockpile? Should diabetics and those with heart conditions hesitate to eat stockpiled food if they have high salt content? Should they take nutritional supplements instead? None of these answers are available.

Additionally, government sites are so over-packed with information that it can become overwhelming. Web users have to download large PDF files and wade through miles of documents. And what about those who don't have access to the Web?

Government plans for pandemic flu preparedness also have a flaw in that they rely on individuals, families and communities to have their own flu plans in place, and expect them to have a full stockpile of goods for the foreseeable future. Good idea, but the major question is: HOW?

To help address some of those questions, APHA has launched the Get Ready campaign. The campaign will provide information, resources and tools so that all individuals, families and communities in the United States, are more prepared for a potential influenza pandemic, outbreak of an emerging infectious disease or other hazard or disaster than they are today. In other words, the Get Ready campaign will serve as a venue for people who are looking for real advice on how to prepare for flu.

Ultimately, the goal of the Get Ready campaign is to increase the number of Americans who are prepared for pandemic flu or other emerging infectious diseases. By helping Americans prepare for pandemic flu, it will also strengthen their preparedness for other threats to their health and lives, such as hurricanes or terrorism.

About APHA: The American Public Health Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world, dedicated to protecting all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and assuring community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. Since 1872, APHA has led national movements for all Americans to be able to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from preventable, serious health threats. APHA accomplishes this by serving as the only association for public health professionals from every sector of society and health-related discipline.

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Learn More About the Get Ready Campaign: Stories from The Nation’s Health

• APHA members helping public get ready for flu, infectious diseases: Sections taking part in Get Ready effort (September 2006) View Story...
  
• New APHA Web site features influenza facts: Resources include influenza fact sheets, news, resources (August 2006)
  View Story...
  
• Member input sought on APHA’s national public health movement: Focus on pandemic flu, emerging diseases (April 2006) View Story...
  
• Pandemic flu, infectious diseases first focus of new APHA movement: Executive Board holds first meeting of year (March 2006) View Story...
  
• New APHA movement to engage Americans in public health: Plans for national initiative under way (January/February 2006)
  View Story...
  

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