Former Sen. Sam Nunn discusses future of public health preparedness

ATLANTA - Former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn said Wednesday that if another terrorist attack was being formulated now, the United States would not adequately be prepared to prevent or respond to it. <br> <br> Nunn was part of a panel discussing the future of public health preparedness. <br> <br> He said the only way the U.S. could effectively pre-imp another attack is to work together both locally and globally, with increased training and education at all levels of the government and public health sectors. <br> <br> Preparing the legal and health systems for possible bioterrorism attacks was the focus of the two-day meeting sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 500 people from various fields attended the event. <br> <br> The four-member panel discussing preparedness included Lawrence Gostin, Georgetown University public health professor; Doctor John Agwunobi, Florida&#39;s chief health officer; and Republican Senator Peter Mills of Skowhegan, Maine. <br> <br> Since the September 11 attacks, many have criticized states&#39; lack of preparedness plans. <br> <br> Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said state governments need the ability to declare a health emergency, close roads and buildings, commandeer hospitals, begin vaccination campaigns and isolate individuals and groups.