Press Release - Spotlight

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastating damage to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, local public health officials face many challenges protecting the public's health. In September 2004, local public health directors and the executive director of NACCHO held a media audio conference to describe public's health response when hurricanes strike. A transcript of that audio conference and other resources follow.

Patrick Libbey, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, director of the Duval County Health Department in Florida, are available to comment on the threats to public health in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the role of local public health in responding to hurricanes.

These experts can paint a picture of the health dangers a hurricane brings, how public health officials prepare for these storms and what challenges they face after the hurricanes have passed. Local public health agencies work every day on the front lines to protect and promote the health of their communities. They play a critical role in protecting the public's health in natural disasters and other emergencies like hurricanes.

NACCHO is the national organization representing local public health agencies (including city, county, metro, district, and tribal agencies). NACCHO supports efforts that protect and improve the health of all people and all communities by promoting national policy, developing resources and programs, and supporting effective local public health practice and systems. For more information, visit www.naccho.org.

Please call Jennifer Hudman at 301-652-1558, ext. 200 or E-mail at jhudman@burnesscommunications.com to arrange an interview with Mr. Libbey or Dr. Goldhagen.