B.R. could be cut from federal bioterrorism response program

Baton Rouge is one of 51 metro areas across the U.S. in danger of being cut from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Cities Readiness Initiative, a federally funded program designed to enhance preparedness in the event of a large-scale bioterrorist event by dispensing antibiotics to the entire population with 48 hours. That’s according to the ninth annual “Ready or Not? Protecting the Public from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism” report, released today by the Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report finds key programs in detecting and responding to bioterrorism, new disease outbreaks, and natural or accidental disasters are at risk due to federal and state budget cuts. No state is off the chopping block, according to the report, and the ability of the CDC to mount a comprehensive response to nuclear, radiologic and/or chemical threats—as well as natural disasters—would be diminished by anticipated cuts to the National Center for Environmental Health. The report says New Orleans is also at risk of being cut from CRI, which would leave Louisiana without a metro area in the program. The program was originally established in 2004, when 21 cities were selected based on criteria such as population and potential vulnerability to a bioterrorism threat. It was expanded in 2005 and 2006. You can take a look at an overview of the report here, or download the entire 92-page document here.