The FSISs Public Health Information System Essay

The FSISs Public Health Information System - Essay Example The committee further recommended that FSIS collect extensive information regarding meat and poultry labeling and consumer protection. As stated by the Institute for Homeland Security Solutions (2009), the national security of the United States depends on a safe and secure food supply; food that is free of contamination. In 2006, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act was passed by both the White House and Congress. The Act established a goal of near-real-time information to enhance rapid response to public health threats to minimize their impact. To meet such a challenge, public health and safety organizations need to enhance their ability to collect, analyze, and disseminate health information across the organization. Liu & Wein (2008) and Zink (2004) have raised concerns that it is only a matter of time before the United States begins experiencing instances of major food terrorism. Earlier in this century, Sobel, Griffith, Slutsker, Swerdlow & Tauxe observed that the inform ation environment and informatics tools that were used then tended to follow jurisdiction boundaries. They further observed that these boundaries worked against efforts to reduce inherent latencies. One good example of the effects of these boundaries is the 2008 peanut butter contamination. In November 2008, the Center for Disease Control confirmed clusters of Salmonella Typhimurium (IHSS, 2009). Two months later, investigations associated Salmonella Typhimurium with peanut butter contamination.