NBSB Working Groups and Subcommittee

Disaster Medicine Working Group

Established under the National Biodefense Science Board, the Disaster Medicine Working Group is able to provide advice to the NBSB in the broad area of disaster medicine and public health preparedness which includes planning, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from significant events impacting the health and well being of individuals and populations. Disaster Medicine professionals and responders, a multi disciplinary group from the health care, public health, emergency management and commercial/academic sectors provide insight, guidance and expertise on the principles and practice of medicine and public health in preparing for and responding to the broad range of disasters and the resulting health needs of affected individuals, communities and populations with the overarching goal of insuring and protecting our National Health Security.

Markets and Sustainability Working Group

Established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB), the Medical Countermeasure Markets and Sustainability Working Group (M&S-WG) will evaluate existing financial, policy and regulatory issues that influence industry willingness to invest in the development of vaccines and therapeutic products for use as medical countermeasures. The M&S-WG will consider how current research, development, and procurement efforts relate to questions of market sustainability and product development. M&S-WG deliberations will focus on strategies that encourage greater industry participation in the development of new medical countermeasures and increase industry efforts to gain approval of licensed products for new indications as medical countermeasures.

Medical Countermeasures Research and Development Working Group

Established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB), the Medical Countermeasure Research and Development Working Group (MCMR&D-WG) will review the status of USG collaboration and integration of medical countermeasure research and development processes. Recommendations on interactions and processes across the scope of USG medical countermeasure efforts that would enhance interagency collaboration and improve coordination of activities will be provided by the Working Group to the NBSB.

Medical Countermeasures Working Group

Established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB), the Medical Countermeasures Working Group (MCM-WG) is to perform a robust analysis of the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) utilizing data generated through a series of white papers commissioned by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) plus the Institute of Medicine (IOM) workshop examining two broad issues; 1) the market forces and incentives that contribute to or detract from the government's ability to meet its preparedness goals, and 2) an analysis of stockpiling, distribution, dispensing and use strategies, and the NBSB sponsored workshop on the strategic management, leadership and accountability structure of the Enterprise. By March 26, 2010, the MCM-WG will generate a written report for the Secretary of Health and Human Services synthesizing the issues and challenges facing the PHEMCE, and at the discretion of the Board, suggest policy options to optimize it.

Pandemic Influenza Working Group

Established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB), the Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PI-WG) will consider scientific progress and policy options regarding the research and development portfolio of medical countermeasures, supplies, and product utilization to prevent, treat, and mitigate the effects of a novel strain of human influenza during a pandemic. Other issues related to pandemic influenza may be considered by the PI-WG as they arise. The Working Group will report their findings to the NBSB.

Personal Preparedness Working Group

Established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB), the Personal Preparedness Working Group (PP-WG) was formed in response to information presented at the Board's June 2008 meeting regarding specific efforts to promote personal preparedness at the individual citizen level. The WG will consider the scientific background, practical implications and policy options regarding personal preparedness. Although the WG is initially charged with the evaluation of personal preparedness in the event of an anthrax attack, other issues from an all-hazard perspective may be considered by the WG as they arise.

Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee

The Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee, established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will provide advice and guidance for discussion and deliberation to the NBSB. The NBSB will provide recommendations to the Secretary on matters of special interest to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding protecting, preserving, and restoring individual and community mental health in catastrophic health event settings, including pre-event, intra-event, and post-event education, messaging, and interventions, with the long term goal of enhancing capabilities at the State and local level for addressing disaster mental health.

DMH Subcommittee Charter

DMH Subcommittee Members