Health Security Intelligence : Assessing the Nascent Public Health Capability

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === This thesis explores the current state of public healths (HS) intelligence capability across State, Local, Tribal and Territorial (SLTT) jurisdictions through qualitative analysis of current public health jurisdiction plans for the collectio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Minarcine, Scott
Other Authors: Simeral, Robert
Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10945/6836
Description
Summary:Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === This thesis explores the current state of public healths (HS) intelligence capability across State, Local, Tribal and Territorial (SLTT) jurisdictions through qualitative analysis of current public health jurisdiction plans for the collection, analysis, product creation, dissemination and programmatic oversight related to public health inputs into the homeland security intelligence apparatus. An assessment was conducted using an online Plan Assessment Tool, or PLAT, that allowed jurisdictional public health leadership to provide de-identified responses. This assessment of 25 of the 62 federally funded SLTT public health preparedness programs indicates one impediment to the continued maturation of this new intelligence capability is the lack of codified plans. The results also suggest that while public health programs at the SLTT level do indeed have much room for improvement, there is a burgeoning intelligence capability within public health. However, to sustain and improve this emergent capability will require a national effort to create mission focus and centralized guidance.