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Michael Osterholm PhD, MPH, Director of CIDRAP (Center For Infectious Disease Research & Policy), is widely regarded as one of the leading voices urging action to prepare for an influenza pandemic.
His credentials are impeccable, and he is both a charismatic and knowledgeable public speaker. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the CIDRAP Business Source.
Normally access is through a paid subscription.
Last week Dr. Osterholm wrote a remarkable article for the CIDRAP Business Source called The reality of pandemic planning: I've hit the wall but I'm not giving up.
Friends and colleagues of Dr. Osterholm felt this article was too important not to be widely available, and urged him to make it publicly accessible.
Dr. Osterholm has graciously done so.
I've only printed the opening paragraphs. Please follow the link to read this article in its entirety.
You will find it well worth the effort.
The reality of pandemic planning: I've hit the 'wall' but I'm not giving up
Special feature alert: Welcome to CIDRAP Business Source, a subscription service from the University of Minnesota designed to help businesses prepare for public health threats. This commentary by infectious disease and preparedness expert Michael T. Osterholm, MPH, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, appeared in the Sep 11 Osterholm Briefing. In view of the importance of Dr. Osterholm's message to all organizations and individuals, we're making this column available to the general public. We encourage you to explore our content-rich site for additional context and commentary.
Michael T. Osterholm
September 11, 2008 (CIDRAP Business Source Osterholm Briefing) – Like marathon runners or long-distance swimmers, I hit the "wall" this week when it comes to pandemic preparedness planning—big time. It wasn't pretty. And while I am not giving up, recent events certainly gave me pause. So, I'm changing my strategy—and sharing it with you.
What brought me to this place
Yesterday, our presidential campaign devolved into "lipstick and pigs" nonsense, and it became so clear to me that no politician can get elected today by telling the electorate the painful truth: We're not prepared for our future, and we're not going to do much to get prepared. True preparedness requires sacrifice, and, frankly, as a nation we're mostly too "in the moment" to consider sacrificing for the future.
