Academic Centers

• Center for Neurotechnology Studies
• International Center for Terrorism Studies
• National Center for Unconventional Thought
• Risk Analysis Center

National Security Health Policy Center  - Projects

• Purpose and Scope
• Projects
• Publications
• Organizational Structure

NSHPC Projects --Current and Past

The NSHPC sponsors, co-sponsors, and participates in a series of studies, activities, and events that create a forum for the presentation and analysis of relevant issues that help forge new linkages between the changing global and national health environment, technological capabilities, and the formulation of effective national health policies and strategies.

The Center completed and published its work including studies on U.S.-Mexico Border Health Issues, a project sponsored by the University of North Texas - Health Science Center (UNT-HSC, Fort Worth, TX) on behalf of the United States - Mexico Border Health Commission. A second study, Terrorism and Medical Responses, also received sponsorship from UNT-HSC. This study was published in a book that was co-edited by the Center's first Research Director (Terrorism and Medical Responses: U.S. Lessons & Policy Implications, Ardsley, NY: Transnational Publishers Ardsley, 2001).

The Center has also been actively involved in a joint program with the Critical Incident Analysis Group (CIAG) - a University of Virginia based consortium. The work is targeted at improving the response in the United States to the threat posed by bioterrorism. The work was recently published by CIAG ( What is to be Done? - Emerging Perspectives on Public Responses to Bioterrorism, University of Virginia, VA 2002). The strategy paper outlining how 'Shielding' might be implemented is also available from the Center and can be accessed through the Institute web site.

The Center is currently engaged in several studies including: a major study to determine what lessons can be learned from the historical experience with smallpox disease and smallpox vaccination; a research program that will use computer modeling to investigate anthrax disease in humans; and the development of intelligent decision support tools for terrorism defense and crisis management. Further details are provided below.

U.S.-Mexico Border Health Issues

This study was performed at the request of the Office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) under the auspices of her United States - Mexico Border Health Commission. The study began with a literature review and preliminary report that outlines the geographical, political, socio-economic, and health issues in this enormous region that encompasses Northern Mexico and the southern parts of the States of California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. The initial report has been provided to Senator Hutchison and distributed by her Office to the Border Health Commissioners and the Mexican health authorities. The Center is currently exploring the possibility of publishing the report for public reference.

Terrorism and Medical Responses

This study began with a seminar that was held at the Potomac Institute For Policy Studies (Arlington, VA) on March 15, 2001. The seminar entitled "International Terrorism & Medical Responses: U.S. Experiences Abroad, Lessons, & Policy Implications" was jointly sponsored by the International Center For Terrorism Studies (ICTS), the National Security Health Policy Center (NSHPC), the Inter-University Center For Legal Studies, and the Inter-University Center For Terrorism Studies. The seminar resulted in articles that were published in a November 2001 a volume entitled Terrorism and Medical Responses: U.S. Lessons & Policy Implications (Transnational Publishers Ardsley, NY ). The volume also contains original articles by NSHPC staff and a guest article by Dr. George S. Everly, Jr. of The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and Loyola College in Maryland.

Public Response to Bioterrorism

NSHPC, together with the Critical Incident Analysis Group (CIAG), has been engaged in developing a concept that extends, and significantly augments, the use of quarantine, evacuation, or vaccination, as probable responses to a bioterrorist incident. The project has enabled the Center develop its relationships with amongst others, the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, the legislators in the State of Virginia, the American Bar Association, the Virginia law enforcement agencies, and the University of Virginia Schools of Medicine and Law.

With the recent publication of the National Strategy for Homeland Security by the White House, and the growing support for the concept, a summary document was written by Dr. Stephen Prior, the former NSHPC Research Director, that outlines the concept, which is called 'shielding,' and shows how, in the context of the new National Strategy, it provides a basis for action by everyone in the country that will support the effort to make the homeland secure and defeat the threat of terrorist action.

This work is reflected in a monograph titled, What is to be Done? Emerging Perspectives on Public Response to Bioterrorism, published in October 2002. (Requests for this publication should be directed to ciag@virginia.edu.)

NSHPC Study on Smallpox Vaccines and Vaccination

In recent months there has been considerable debate concerning plans for reinstating the production of smallpox vaccines and the possible reintroduction of smallpox vaccination. The debate is fueled by the concerns about the possible use of smallpox in a bioterrorist attack, and has become more prominent following the anthrax attacks on the United States that occurred in October 2001. The subsequent decision by the U.S. government to produce and stockpile smallpox vaccine for possible use in a national smallpox vaccination program has further engaged the public in the policy decisions that would be needed to support such a program. The Center has undertaken a major research program to determine what lessons can be learned from the historical experience with smallpox disease and smallpox vaccination. The review is not yet complete, but some data has already been developed that has relevance to the current public debate concerning the choice of vaccine strain, and the issues of vaccine efficacy. (See our publications page) - More information

Anthrax Modeling

The recent use of anthrax as a bioterrorist weapon in the United States represents the harbinger of what many predict will be an increasing threat from this disease and other biological warfare (BW) agents. New methods for developing treatments and guiding animal studies are needed if we are to close the gap between the threat and our ability to respond. The NSHPC research seeks to provide modeling and simulation solutions that can be used to better adapt current clinical practices, offer guidance on future strategies and interventions, and provide a basis for better targeting scarce animal resources to meet the human clinical target.

For more information on NSHPC or its projects, please contact Mr. Don A. Donahue.