Ready to Respond to Public Health Emergencies

CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) responders

State and local health departments must stand ready to handle many different types of emergencies that threaten the health and safety of families, communities, and the nation. Learn how CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program helps communities respond to threats.

Public health emergencies occur every day across the United States. Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, infectious disease outbreaks, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies have all occurred in the United States within the past few years and will happen again.

Communities must be ready in the event of a public health emergency – both those they expect and those that come without warning. The terrorist and anthrax attacks of 2001 clearly demonstrated that states need expertise and resources in place before disaster strikes. Since 9/11, CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program has worked with states, cities, and territories to prepare and plan for emergencies.