Latest Reports/Studies

GAO: Focus on influenza pandemic planning and preparedness

This Government Accountability Office report looks for a sustained "focus on the nation's planning and preparedness efforts" for a possible influenza pandemic. It follows up on past GAO pandemic reports and finds that 13 of 23 GAO recommendations have been implemented.

Highlights (1-page PDF)
Full Report (58-page PDF)

Other findings, taken from the report summary:

Leadership roles and responsibilities need to be clarified and tested, and coordination mechanisms could be better utilized.
Efforts are underway to improve the surveillance and detection of pandemic-related threats, but targeting assistance to countries at the greatest risk has been based on incomplete information.
Pandemic planning and exercising has occurred, but planning gaps remain.
Further actions are needed to address the capacity to respond to and recover from an influenza pandemic.
Federal agencies have provided considerable guidance and pandemic-related information, but could augment their efforts.
Performance monitoring and accountability for pandemic preparedness needs strengthening.