MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Sept. 11, 2006) - Businesses can now obtain free access to a 10-point pandemic planning framework from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) Web site at www.cidrap.umn.edu/10points. The framework, which is intended to serve as a guideline to trigger business planning activities, is an original document produced by CIDRAP staff and reviewed by 19 business professionals representing a wide spectrum of industry sectors and relevant job functions. Since there is no way to predict the timing or specifics of a pandemic, CIDRAP cautions that businesses need to plan now for the spectrum of possibilities, from mild to severe.
"Our interdependencies are our strength, but they will be our worst vulnerability if we wait until the crisis is here to begin preparing," explained Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, director of CIDRAP and internationally recognized pandemic expert. "This 10-point framework is an important component of CIDRAP´s efforts to provide authoritative information and guidance to help businesses become better prepared for a pandemic in today´s just-in-time global economy."
The concise framework is an effective tool for educating top executives, as well as providing a sound foundation for which individuals working in human resources, business continuity, risk management, environment, health and safety, and security areas of organizations can begin to take action or identify potential gaps in existing planning efforts.
About CIDRAP
A center within the University of Minnesota, CIDRAP works to prevent illness and death from infectious diseases through epidemiologic research and the rapid translation of scientific information into real-world practical applications and solutions. CIDRAP is a world leader in describing and documenting vulnerabilities resulting from the complex and dynamic nature of infectious diseases in both private sector and public health realms. The CIDRAP Web site (www.cidrap.umn.edu) is an award-winning source of current, comprehensive, and authoritative information on influenza, pandemic preparedness, and emerging infectious diseases.