Publications
Publications
- November 2005 (Revised December 2005)
- HBS Case Collection
County Department of Public Health: Organizing for Emergency Preparedness and Response
By: Lynda M. Applegate, Ajay Vinze and Minu Ipe
Abstract
The anthrax attacks of 2001 exposed serious inadequacies in the response of the U.S. public health system to meet such grave threats. The public health infrastructure required rebuilding to respond to any type of large-scale health emergency. The Public Health Department at Penville County had been charged with implementing an emergency preparedness and response system for the county. Federal funds were provided to the county to develop an emergency preparedness infrastructure that met the requirements specified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. County public officials had to coordinate their efforts to ensure seamless communication, coordination, and information exchange between various divisions within the public health department, external entities, and the state public health agency. Focuses on the director of Public Health Department and the challenges he faced. Explores issues related to structure, organization, culture, and technology infrastructure.
Keywords
Information Technology; Change Management; Crisis Management; Health Care and Treatment; Infrastructure; Public Administration Industry; Health Industry; United States
Citation
Applegate, Lynda M., Ajay Vinze, and Minu Ipe. "County Department of Public Health: Organizing for Emergency Preparedness and Response." Harvard Business School Case 806-089, November 2005. (Revised December 2005.)