The group’s 10th annual report, Ready or Not? Protecting the Public from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, ranked states’ preparedness for such emergencies on a one-to-10 scale, with 35 states ranking a six or lower.
Kansas and Montana were the lowest scoring at three, with Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin tying for most prepared with scores of eight.
In general, the report noted states’ health systems have improved dramatically over the last decade in overall capacity for routine public health needs, but they lag behind for acute emergencies, disasters and outbreaks.
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