In a wide-ranging, timely discussion of urgent issues, this volume examines the health consequences of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States and systematically reviews information on explosives, incendiaries, and small arms, as well as biologic, chemical, nuclear, radiologic and other radioactive weapons that may be used by terrorists. In a constructive approach, the authors discuss what needs to be done to improve the public health and medical care systems in preparation for possible future terrorist attacks and threats and for addressing widespread public health problems more effectively. They also explore the origins of terrorism and discuss the civil rights and human rights issues related to government responses to terrorism. Well-written, well-organized, and up-to-date, the book should be essential reading for many health professionals, students, and others concerned with terrorism and its health consequences.

"The public anxiety around the possibility of terrorist threats presents a challenge to all those working in public health, and it is to the great credit of [this book] that it helps us respond to this challenge in a sensible and balanced way." -Medicine, Conflict and Survival, Vol. 19, 2003

"The arrival of the 21st century has brought a greater threat of international terrorism and a greater appreciation of the role of public health in protecting the community. Terrorism and Public Health: A Balanced Approach to Strengthening Systems and Protecting People provides a comprehensive review of the interdisciplinary collaboration that is needed to guard against terrorism while strengthening our public health system."--Diana Bonta, DHS-Director's Office

"A remarkably timely and comprehensive look at the challenges that terrorism presents for public health. It thoroughly examines the issues around strengthening the public health system's response to terrorism while avoiding inappropriate actions that further shift vital resources and efforts from other critical public health needs. This book provides schools of public health and other academic health institutions with a basic guide for developing terrorism preparedness and response training in their curricula."--Patricia W. Wahl, PhD, Professor of Biostatistics and Dean, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

"a timely contribution from a distinguished group of public health professionals. The events also showed how the prompt actions of courageous and well-trained individuals helped reduce the burden of suffering. This book is a valuable resource for all those now mobilizing to prevent or contain the threat to the public's health of future acts of terrorism, whether from biologic, chemical, nuclear, or conventional weapons."--Robert S. Lawrence, MD, Edyth H. Schoenrich Professor of Preventive Medicine, and Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

"an invaluable book for the same reason that it is profoundly sad that such a resource is needed at all--the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The first hand stories provide lessons learned not available from any other source. Attention to these lessons, the information on terrorist weapons and pursuing opportunities to strengthen the public health infrastructure will help us to prepare for potential future assaults. Perhaps most important, understanding the roots of terrorism may bring actions that lead to greater world peace."--Faye L. Wong, MPH, RD, Director, 'Youth Media Campaign'

"...an historic reassessment of our chronically underfunded public health system, and what must be done now to meet the new challenge of terrorism in our midst. Drawing on the best thinking in public health, medicine, law and civil liberties, weapons development, and other fields, Levy and Sidel argue forcefully that the goals of community-based prevention and terrorism preparedness are complementary, not competing. It will be an enormously useful guide to policymakers, a resource for public health practitioners, and a message of hope to Americans with basic questions about what we must do now to prepare to combat these new and emerging threats."--Senator Paul Wellstone

"The timing of Terrorism and Public could not have been better. This book serves as a defining statement of where terrorism must now 'fit' into public health agendas at all levels of government. The book also illuminates the need for effective collaboration among health, medical and social scientists. It is encyclopedic in its coverage and includes a robust list of references...a splendid book."--Balius Walker, Jr., PhD, MPH, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Medicine and a past president of the American Public Health Association

"the timely publication of this book is a service to all of us in public health, and it will be a useful resource for health professionals, emergency response organizations, and policy makers, as well as for teaching."--International Journal of Epidemiology

"This has to be the 'book of the year' so far, in this so important field of study and deserves the widest possible readership."--The RoSPA Occupational SafetyandHealth Journal

PART I The Public Health Response to September 11 and Its Aftermath

1. Challenges that Terrorism Poses for Public Health, Barry S. Levy and Victor W. Sidel

2. The Public Health Response to the World Trade Center Disaster, Timothy H. Holtz, Jessica Leighton, Sharon Balter, Donald Weiss, Susan Blank, and Isaac Weisfuse

3. Addressing Mental Health Needs, Zebulon Taintor (New York University School of Medicine)

4. Addressing Environmental Health Issues, Luz Claudio, Anjali Garg, and Philip J. Landrigan (All: Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

5. Protecting the Health and Safety of Rescue and Recovery Workers, Bruce Lippy(International Union of Operating Engineers, Beckley, West Virginia)

6. The Public Health Response to the Dissemination of Anthrax, Philip S. Brachman (The Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University)

7. Educating, Informing, and Mobilizing the Public Monica Schoch-Spana(John Hopkins University)

8. Responding to the Public Health Crisis in Afghanistan, Peter Salama, Jennifer Leaning, and Annalies Borrel

PART II Terrorist Weapons

9. Small Arms, Explosives, and Incendaries, Wendy Cukier and Antoine Chapdelaine

10. Biologic Weapons, Victor W. Sidel and Barry S. Levy

11. Chemical Weapons, Herman Spanjaard and Oxana Khabib

12. Nuclear, Radiologic, and Other Radioactive Weapons, Patrice Sutton and Robert Gould

PART III Challenges and Opportunities

13. Strengthening the Public Health System, C. William Keck and Marguerite Erme(Both: Akron Health Department, Akron, Ohio)

14. Improving Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Laboratory Capabilities, J. Lyle Conrad and James L. Pearson

15. Improving Vaccines, Antimicrobials, and Antitoxins through Research, Dorothy Margolskee, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

16. Protecting the Food and Water Supply and the Ambient Air, Craig W. Hedberg, Jeffrey B. Bender, and Donald Vesley

17. Protecting Civil Liberties, H. Jack Geiger

18. Exploring the Roots of Terrorism, Cheryl E. Easley and Carol Easley Allen

19. Promoting International Law, Peter Weiss