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

  • Tools & Resources

RISC 2.0 Toolkit

ASPR has launched the Risk Identification and Site Criticality (RISC) 2.0...

Dec 04, 2023 | Jessica Pryor

RISC 2.0 Toolkit

Cdc flu qa nivw
  • COVID-19
  • Tools & Resources
  • Immunization
  • Influenza

National Influenza Vaccination Week - #FightFlu:...

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a reminder to all Americans six...

Dec 04, 2023 | Victoria Thompson, Clarissa Montes

National Influenza Vaccination Week - #FightFlu:...

2022 Network Profile Cover Small
  • COVID-19
  • Medical Reserve Corps
  • Research & Reports

Celebrating Two Decades of Service! NACCHO releases the...

This new report shows that while MRC volunteers contributed over 1.1 million...

Nov 21, 2023 | Laura Biesiadecki

Celebrating Two Decades of Service! NACCHO releases the...

  • Preparedness Profile

Accepting Applications: 2024 Radiation Workshop Travel...

NACCHO’s Preparedness Summit is a one-of-a-kind learning and networking...

Nov 01, 2023

Accepting Applications: 2024 Radiation Workshop Travel...

Wachusett MRC web
  • Community Engagement
  • Medical Reserve Corps

Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers Bridge Language Gaps

See how volunteers of the Medical Reserve Corps are bridging language gaps in...

Oct 19, 2023 | Beth Hess

Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers Bridge Language Gaps

Webinar
  • Webinar

Webinar: Tennessee’s Approach to Radiological Emergency...

Join this webinar on Thursday, November 16 at 2:30 PM ET.

Oct 16, 2023 | Lean Abdelaziz

Webinar: Tennessee’s Approach to Radiological Emergency...

Cyber
  • Technology

Cyber Threats Pose a Public Health Risk – A...

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, learn about new and evolving...

Oct 13, 2023

Cyber Threats Pose a Public Health Risk – A...

WV This Is A Test
  • Tools & Resources
  • Success Story

Preparing for Radiation Emergencies – How West Virginia...

See how the Monongalia County Health Department in West Virginia is preparing...

Oct 13, 2023 | Beth Hess

Preparing for Radiation Emergencies – How West Virginia...

Opportunity
  • Opportunity

NACCHO recruiting members for Surge Management Workgroup

Join the Surge Management Workgroup!

Oct 04, 2023 | Jessica Pryor

NACCHO recruiting members for Surge Management Workgroup

Back to Top