An academic/government partnership to provide technical assistance with pandemic influenza planning to local health departments in North Carolina

Public Health Rep. 2010 Nov-Dec;125 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):92-9. doi: 10.1177/00333549101250S513.

Abstract

In 2006, the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) required all 85 local health departments (LHDs) in North Carolina to develop a pandemic influenza plan. Because few LHDs had experience in developing such plans, NC DPH engaged in a unique partnership with an academic center, the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (NCCPHP), to provide technical assistance to local planners. This article describes the technical assistance program implemented by NCCPHP, the use of technical assistance by local planners, subsequent completeness of local pandemic influenza plans, and lessons learned throughout the program. We discuss selected topic areas (surveillance, vaccine/antiviral, and vulnerable populations) observed within local pandemic influenza plans to highlight the variability in planning approaches and identify potential opportunities for state and local standardization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Data Collection
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Education
  • Health Planning Technical Assistance*
  • Health Workforce
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Local Government*
  • Needs Assessment
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Public Health Practice*
  • Universities*