Who's in Charge: Leadership during Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises

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A detailed exploration of leadership problems that can develop during public health crises such as the anthrax attacks, SARS, and Mad Cow disease. An imminent threat to the public health, such as the swine flu outbreak, is no time for a muddled chain of command and contradictory decision making. Who's In Charge Leadership during Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises explores the crucial relationships between political leaders, public health officials, journalists, and others to see why leadership confusion develops. Who's In Charge begins by looking at the overarching issues of leadership, public health administration, and the threats of bioterrorism. It then examines five recent emergenciesthe 2001 anthrax attacks and 1993 cryptosporidium outbreak in the United States, the 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto, the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease crisis, and the decade-long battle against Mad Cow Disease in the U.K. A perfect text for schools in public health, or as a reference for elected officials at every level of government, the book shows how each event developed step-by-step to pinpoint specific leadership issues. Engaging and absorbing, the work presents official reports, medical literature, first-person accounts from officials and journalists, and discussions of the role of law enforcement and the military during health care emergencies.

Reviews

A perfect text for schools in public health, or as a reference for elected officials at every level of government, the book shows how each event developed step-by-step to pinpoint specific leadership issues. Engaging and absorbing, the work presents official reports, medical literature, first-person accounts from officials and journalists, and discussions of the role of law enforcement and the military during health care emergencies. * Veterinaria Italiana *
The book can be used as a supplemental text for courses in public health, or as a reference for elected officials at every level. * SciTech Book News *
Kahn's examples of the generalities between the political and bureaucratic gravity fields in government is expanded in the first few chapters into an excellent framework of historical facts and lessons learned. . . . If you want to better understand the 'how' and 'why' behind the United States' health care responses to H1N1 Influenza Outbreak and the Haitian earthquake disaster, read this book! * Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management *
This well-written, thoroughly researched, and authoritative book will interest public health and medical professionals and public policy students, along with the general public. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. * Choice *
Who's in Charge is written in an easy, informal style that can be understood by readers with minimal knowledge about medicine and public health.the content is strong, and the result is a useful, thought-provoking book and valuable resource for public officials. The volume also raises a number of important policy issues that warrant attention and actionor at least serious reflectionby those likely to be in charge the next time disaster comes calling. * Health Affairs *
Who's in Charge Leadership During Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises is a well researched and easily readable book that offers valuable insight into many leadership challenges that politicians, health authorities, and medical scientists faced when dealing with some large and widely publicized health crises. This text is a valuable contribution. * JAVMA *

Author Bio

Laura H. Kahn is a physician and research scholar in the Program on Science and Global Security at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ.