Science as the Basis of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Practice: The Slow but Crucial Evolution

Abstract

We discuss challenges to implementing evidence-based practice within the broad field of public health preparedness and response. We discuss the progress of public health preparedness and response in building and translating evidence to practice since the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11/2001. We briefly describe analogies to struggles that other professional disciplines face, and we highlight key factors that facilitate and impede the implementation of evidence-based practice. We recommend a partnership led by funding agencies and closely involving research organizations and professional associations as a means to ensure that the public health preparedness and response field continues to develop an evidence-based culture and practice.