Achieving national health security is ultimately the shared responsibility of all organizations
(both governmental and non-governmental), communities, and individuals. Local, state,
territorial, and tribal governments have primary authority for health security but receive support
from the federal government before, during, and after incidents. The federal government also
helps ensure comparable levels of health security across local jurisdictions by providing funding
and guidance, developing performance measures and standards, sponsoring research, and
providing technical assistance.
But, as noted previously, a key principle of the NHSS is that other sectors—including the health
care, emergency management, law enforcement, private/non-governmental, and academic
sectors—as well as individuals and families and the international community, all play a vital role
in national health security. For instance,
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• In the private sector, businesses should develop and practice plans for protecting their
employees and ensuring business continuity.
• Critical infrastructure entities, such as power companies and other utility services, must
also be engaged in planning for public health emergencies because of our society’s
dependence upon their services.
• Academia can contribute to national health security through conducting research to
identify best practices for national health security and providing education and training in
activities necessary to ensure health security.
• Individuals and families play a critical role by developing family emergency plans,
stockpiling food and water, and having available a reserve of their regular prescription
drugs as well as over-the-counter medications and first aid supplies .
• Non-governmental organizations, including community-based organizations, are an
important partner in recruiting and supporting volunteers, particularly medical
professionals in activities such as dispensing countermeasures and providing medical care
to casualties as needed.
• The international community plays a key role in surveillance, detection, and
communication of health security threats to their own nations, which may also pose a
threat to our Nation.
Each of these actors is critical in ensuring the Nation’s health security. Specific roles and
responsibilities of each sector will be outlined in greater detail in the forthcoming
Implementation Plan.