Chemical and biological terrorism: planning for the worst

Preparing for a chemical or biological terrorist event has recently become an intense area of focus for emergency health planners in every state and city in America. Many of these individuals believe that a chemical or biological terrorist event is likely in the near future and they raise concerns about the readiness of our nation's health system to rapidly identify and manage a disaster of this magnitude. In both types of events, physician leadership is essential to reduce death and disability and restore public order. Several policy issues need to be addressed in this complex issue. Physician executives play a key role in preparing the health system to respond to this type of disaster.