National Health Security Strategy 2019 2022

Introduction to the National Health Security Strategy and National Biodefense Strategy

Jun 02, 2021 | Shanlynn Bias

The 21st century health security environment is diverse, complex, and ever changing. The American public faces a variety of emerging infectious disease and biological threats that could be natural, accidental, or deliberate in origin. To address these threats, the National Health Security Strategy (NHSS) and National Biodefense Strategy (NBS) aim to advance the U.S. health security enterprise through prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts to combat infectious disease and biological threats.

This article is the first in a series of articles aimed to provide education regarding key national health security concerns such as new and evolving 21st century health threats, federal government mitigation strategies used to support state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) authorities, and future health security priorities.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS coordinates the development, implementation, and evaluation of the NHSS and NBS. ASPR’s mission is to Save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. This mission is supported by the agency’s efforts to lead the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies.1 This work is made possible through collaboration with public health departments, hospitals, healthcare coalitions, an array of SLTT partners, and other federal agencies.

The NHSS and NBS have both played an integral role in improving preparedness to disasters and public health emergencies. The quadrennial NHSS is the primary policy mechanism for advancing public health and health care emergency capabilities and provides guideposts for SLTT stakeholders and non-federal partners in improving national health security. The NHSS is comprised of three components: Strategy; Implementation Plan; and, Evaluation of Progress. Together, these components assess the threat landscape, evaluate health security capabilities, and describe strategies to advance readiness and operational capabilities that address new and evolving threats.2

The NBS is aligned with the NHSS and serves as a strategic document outlining how the United States actively and effectively manages its activities to assess, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological threats. The biodefense enterprise is a coordinated effort among U.S. federal departments and agencies as well as non-governmental stakeholders such as the private sector, industry, and academia.3

The NHSS and NBS require federal departments and agencies to coordinate efforts with one another, while also leveraging partnerships with SLTT, private sector, nongovernmental, academic, and international stakeholders. This collective approach allows for the development and maintenance of a variety of capabilities necessary to address an evolving threat landscape.2,3

Please continue to follow this topic series as we further cover the following features of national health security concerns and corresponding mitigation strategies:

  • Health Security Threat Landscape and the Effects of COVID-19
  • Key Accomplishments and Priorities of the NBS
  • Examining the National Health Security Strategy Through a Local Health Department Lens
  • Health Security Issues of Concern from the Federal Government Perspective
  • Looking to the Future: Informing Development of the 2023-2026 NHSS

1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Retrieved on April 26, 2021 from: https://www.phe.gov/about/aspr/Pages/default.aspx

2. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. National Health Security Strategy (NHSS). Retrieved on April 30, 2021 from: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/Pages/default.aspx

3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. National Biodefense Strategy. Retrieved on April 30, 2021 from: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/biodefense-strategy/Pages/default.aspx


About Shanlynn Bias

More posts by Shanlynn Bias

Related Posts

Radiation
  • Opportunity Radiation Preparedness Training

Accepting Applications: 2025 Radiation Workshop

Applications close December 13.

Oct 31, 2024 | Lean Abdelaziz

Accepting Applications: 2025 Radiation Workshop

Share Feedback web
  • Call for Comments Information Technology

Public Health Professionals: Your Voice Is Needed

Survey closes December 2.

Oct 31, 2024 | Shannon Duffy

Public Health Professionals: Your Voice Is Needed

Cybersecurity 600
  • Tools & Resources Policy Statement Information Technology

Spotlight on Local Health Department Cybersecurity

See a new policy statement and new fact sheet to support local health...

Oct 31, 2024 | Shannon Duffy

Spotlight on Local Health Department Cybersecurity

After Flood 600
  • Tools & Resources Emergency Response Medical Reserve Corps

New Resource for Disaster Responders: The Emergency Law...

Learn about a groundbreaking tool transforming how disaster response teams...

Oct 28, 2024 | Beth Hess

New Resource for Disaster Responders: The Emergency Law...

Emer Prep web
  • Research & Reports

New Network of Regional Centers for Public Health...

Learn more about a network of ten Regional Centers for Public Health...

Oct 28, 2024 | Beth Hess

New Network of Regional Centers for Public Health...

Accessible Resources 600
  • Tools & Resources Health & Disability

New Accessible Resources Collection on Emergency...

Learn about a collection of accessible resources dedicated to emergency...

Oct 28, 2024 | Beth Hess

New Accessible Resources Collection on Emergency...

STB Wallops B web
  • Medical Reserve Corps

Engaging Volunteers, Preparing Community for Emergencies

Learn how a Virginia Medical Reserve Corps unit is preparing its community to...

Oct 18, 2024 | Beth Hess

Engaging Volunteers, Preparing Community for Emergencies

Oropouche 600
  • Tools & Resources Emergency Response Vector Control

New Guidance on Oropouche

New guidance on Oropouche is now available.

Oct 16, 2024

New Guidance on Oropouche

FL hurricane 600
  • Tools & Resources

Impacts of Hurricane Milton

See a brief list of resources for communities impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Oct 10, 2024 | Beth Hess

Impacts of Hurricane Milton

Back to Top