CMA has heard from many physicians interested in getting involved in public health pandemic planning efforts. The best way to help is at the local county level. Most county health departments have already begun developing local pandemic response plans and physician participation is welcome. In addition, the governor has proposed that all requests for state pandemic preparedness funds will require approval of local health officers. Interested physicians should contact their county medical societies for more information.

Pandemic plans are also underway at the state and national levels. CMA is an active participant in a number of work groups, including the California Department of Health Services Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) on Public Health Preparedness, that meet regularly to discuss related public health issues.

Contact: Robin Flagg, 916/415-5110 or rflagg@cmanet.org.