U.S. health systems not ready for pandemic

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Critical parts of the U.S. emergency health system are unprepared for a pandemic disaster, and continuing cuts in federal funding are making matters worse.

"Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism," was issued Tuesday by the Trust for America's Health and is the group's fifth annual survey of emergency health preparedness across the country.

The report evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia on 10 key indicators. Thirty-five states and the district scored 8 or higher, with seven -- Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia -- getting 10 out of 10.

Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Wyoming scored the lowest with 6 out of 10.

"The improvements in state preparedness are encouraging, but the job of preparing the United States for major health emergencies is not nearly done," Jeff Levi, the trust's executive director, said in a statement. "And, just when we are beginning to see a return on the federal investment in preparedness programs, the President and Congress have continued to cut these funds."

Levi said the cuts "may seem penny wise now, but could prove pound foolish later."