A regional approach to organizing local public health systems and the impact on emergency preparedness: The nebraska experience

In 2001, new legislation was passed in Nebraska that transformed a weak and fragmented public health system into a stronger system better able to respond to public health emergencies. The new system, based on the concept of regionalization, allowed multiple counties to combine to form regional health departments. This approach enabled these departments to build the capacity needed to plan for and respond more effectively to emergencies. Every department developed an emergency response plan and conducted a variety of exercises with their partners. In addition, all of the regional departments are connected to the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System, an integrated surveillance system that allows them to monitor and respond quickly to disease outbreaks. A regional system generates a higher volume of reported diseases, which helps health departments track disease patterns and trends more accurately. Regional departments have strengthened their capacity to respond to public health emergencies and to provide other essential public health services.