Executive Decision - March/April 2008 - (Page 76)

Not If But When Pandemic: pulse T Businesses Should Prepare Now he threat of an influenza pandemic is real and affects all Americans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading public By Dr. William F. Raub pandemic emerges in one community after another. Areas hit first cannot depend on relief from elsewhere because the entire country will be affected. While we can’t be certain the H5N1 virus, currently a disease of birds in Asia, Europe and Africa, will spark a pandemic, we can be sure that pandemics will happen. They have happened in the past, and they will happen in the future. The most severe of the past century’s pandemics, the 1918-1919 flu pandemic, overwhelmed the United States and caused the deaths of about 675,000 Americans. If a flu pandemic of similar severity occurred today, 90 million Americans could become ill, and nearly two million Americans might die. health experts all agree that it is not a question of if a pandemic will occur, but when it will occur. Unlike seasonal flu outbreaks, an influenza pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. A pandemic is a global disease outbreak that strikes suddenly and can sweep across the country and around the world in a very short time. And, there is no doubt that a major pandemic will impact businesses and the economy; or that employee preparedness will be critical for ongoing business operations. Preparation now, in advance of a pandemic, can help reduce the impact of pandemic flu to both individuals and communities. The fact is government alone can’t prepare the nation for pandemic flu; this challenge requires your help. There is a part for everyone in preparing for a flu pandemic—from stockpiling necessities to adopting good public health habits to communicating with workers, family members and friends. Every business, every county, every school, every church and every household needs to take steps to prepare. Research tells us that people look to their employers and workplace family for guidance. As business leaders, you have a powerful role to play in encouraging your employees and colleagues to prepare now. Take the Lead HHS and CDC recently launched a national campaign called “Take the Lead—Working Together to Prepare Now.” The campaign encourages local leaders from the business, faith-based, community and health care sectors to spread the word about the threat of a pandemic influenza and the critical need for individual preparedness. The campaign provides information, tools and support to help people across the country take steps to prepare. In the twentieth century, three influenza pandemics were responsible for more than 50 million deaths worldwide and almost a million deaths in the United States. It is encouraging to realize that as the first generation with the opportunity to prepare in advance of a pandemic, we have the opportunity to prepare ahead of time, and that time is now. More information about pandemic preparedness and tools to help you encourage your employees and colleagues are available from HHS and CDC at www.pandemicflu.gov/takethelead. XD A pandemic is a global disease outbreak that strikes suddenly and can sweep across the country & around the world in a very short time. Flu Pandemics Are Unique Unlike hurricanes and other natural disasters that strike in one place and command national attention and resources, flu pandemics don’t strike just one area. They strike everywhere. Over a period of several months, virtually everyone will be touched as the Dr. William F. Raub is science advisor to the secretary of health and human services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 76 EXECUTIVE DECISION I execdecision.com http://www.pandemicflu.gov/takethelead http://execdecision.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Decision - March/April 2008

Executive Decision - March/April 2008 Contents Index of Advertisers Contributing Editors From the Editor's Desk Publisher's Note You Be the Judge - Unionization Thought Leader - Pitney Bowes Management - Flying High for Long-Term Results Strategies - Sovereign Wealth Funds Cover Story - In Whom Do We Trust? The Movement for Greater Accountability & Disclosure Finance/Legal - The New Boycott Model Green At Work - Transforming for Sustainability Technology - Embracing Risk Leadership - Executive Reputation Management The Global Village - China Moves to Curb Prices Economic Profile - California Gold Rush Transformations - I Can See Clearly Now, The Brain Is Gone Marketing - Effectively Using Market Research The Bottom Line - Brands: A Shrinking Advantage or Shifting Advantage? Pulse - Pandemic: Not If But When SPECIAL SECTION - Living On the Green: Luxury Golf Destinations

Executive Decision - March/April 2008

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