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Special Contributor | Health Reform Offers New Resources and New Opportunities for Public Health

By: Serena Vinter

Lost amid the yearlong debate over health reform and the heated talk of death panels and socialism were some major changes to the way in which the United States funds public health, prevention, and wellness programs as a result of the passage of health reform legislation. The new law emphasizes access to care. However, it also contains significant public health, prevention, and wellness provisions, including a national prevention, health promotion, and public health council; a national prevention and health promotion strategy; a prevention and public health ...

“Viewpoints” | Looking Back at Hurricane Katrina: Is Our Public Health System More Prepared?

By: Serena Vinter

Four years ago this week – August 28, 2005 to be precise – Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast region, killing more than 1,800 people and causing more than $81 billion in damages. The devastating storm left the region’s public health and health care systems in shambles from which they are still trying to recover years later. At the time, many Americans considered Katrina a wake-up call for federal, state, and local governments to seriously prepare the country for public health emergencies and natural disasters. Instead, we treated Katrina like a ...