health & human services

Pandemic Data for HHS’s Crimson Contagion Exercise

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Crimson Contagion Exercise (a pandemic influenza scenario) required synthetic data on pandemic cases for the players to be able to analyze epidemiological and contract tracing efforts.

Planning Assistance for a Joint State-Private Sector Antiviral Dispensing Exercise

Planning assistance for coordinating and leading antiviral dispensing was provided to the State of Illinois’ during their Scripted Surge Antiviral Dispensing Exercise.

Community COVID-19 Recovery Grants

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the economies of states and localities across the country and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is urging officials to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support their response efforts.

Caring for mental health during the COVID-19 crisis

The threat of an invisible enemy such as the Coronavirus can generate feelings of uncertainty and isolation that manifest into anxiety and depression. Throughout this crisis it is important that individuals focus on their mental health as well as their physical health.

Anthrax Bioterrorism Modeling, an Analysis of Prepositioning Antibiotics and PODS, Part 2

Our continued conversation with Dr. Sid Baccam addresses his basis for determining incubation periods for anthrax and the benefits and challenges of prepositioning antibiotics versus the benefits and challenges of Points of Dispensing (POD) access.

Anthrax Bioterrorism Modeling, an Analysis of Prepositioning Antibiotics and PODS (Points of Dispensing)

EM Computational Epidemiologist Dr. Sid Baccam has been working with the Department of Health and Human Services for the past 9 years developing models to analyze response to bioterrorism attacks involving anthrax or other bioterrorism agents.

A Modeler’s Review of ‘Contagion’

Would descent into anarchy and selfishness be our reaction to an event like the one portrayed in the movie Contagion? Or would we pull together and become more altruistic in the face of such a massive catastrophe?

Part II – Bioterrorism planning study focuses on traffic and public access to points of dispensing (PODs)

Attached is Part II of a video interview with IEM’s Dr. Sid Baccam, primary author of “Mass Prophylaxis Dispensing Concerns: Traffic and Public Access to PODs” which was published in the June issue of Biosecurity and Bioterrorism.

Bioterrorism planning study focuses on traffic and public access to points of dispensing (PODs)

IEM scientists, led by Computational Epidemiologist Dr. Sid Baccam, published a paper in the June issue of the journal Biosecurity and Bioterrorism entitled “Mass Prophylaxis Dispensing Concerns: Traffic and Public Access to PODs.”

Japan’s radioactive worry: Is a pill for our prevention equal to a pound of cure?

Once again, the evening news has me scratching my head and wondering if it is time to call my healthcare provider to secure a prescription for Potassium Iodide or even Prussian Blue?