Countermeasures Threats program Medical

A third and complementary element of our defensive program must be good intelligence. Only through knowledge of specific threat agents, delivery systems, and national capabilities can we assure the effective development and use of our physical and medical countermeasures. 

Biodefense in the 2ist Century is a White House directive that integrates the sustained efforts of the national and homeland security, medical, public health, intelligence, diplomatic, and law enforcement communities. The four pillars of the biodefense program as described are threat awareness, prevention and protection, surveillance and detection, and response and recovery. The latter two pillars speak to the need for improved capabilities in the areas of surveillance, specifically detection and diagnostics, as well as medical countermeasures development and decontamination. 

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