Public Health Emergency Preparedness

On June 30, 2011, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) discontinued its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Research Program (PHEP). Since AHRQ began that work in 2000, the Federal Government has increased its efforts in preparedness and response for public health emergencies. As these programs have grown more complex, it has become evident that a realignment of Federal resources will help them function more effectively and efficiently.

AHRQ's and its stakeholder partners' early involvement in public health emergency preparedness filled a crucial void in evidence-based resources related to public health emergency preparedness. These resources have helped health care providers, State, local, and tribal governments, and communities plan for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Federal Government will continue helping the Nation prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. Key agencies that will continue this work include:

• The Department of Homeland Security.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

CDC and ASPR will take over support of many of AHRQ's critical PHEP programs.

Go to the AHRQ Archive to access preparedness resources.