BALTIMORE, Md. -- April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for Biosecurity of UPMC in Baltimore today announced its new name: the UPMC Center for Health Security .
Fifteen years ago, the Center started as an organization dedicated to diminishing the public health consequences of biological threats, and it will continue to work on the full range of biosecurity challenges.
In recent years, the Center's focus has expanded to address the continued risk of pandemics and emerging infectious diseases, such as new human cases of H7N9 influenza; frequent natural disasters; dependence on vulnerable infrastructure; outbreaks of foodborne illness; health emergencies caused by acts of terrorism; and the potential for biological, chemical, or nuclear accidents or deliberate threats. Thus, on the 15th anniversary, the Center's leaders wanted to make sure that its name and goals reflect current priorities.
"Our new name signals our commitment to protecting people's health from the consequences of epidemics and disasters and ensuring that communities are resilient to major challenges," explained Center CEO Tom Inglesby.
The Center will continue to examine new scientific and technological innovations that can strengthen the nation's ability to prepare and respond. An important part of its mission is to connect international communities of health and science experts, industry representatives, and government officials to advance collective efforts to improve health security.
"We will keep working toward a better understanding of what strategies and plans could save the most lives, where resources might have the maximum benefit, what management and investment strategies have the largest impact, and what national policies and international collaborations can produce the most important gains," said Inglesby. "We want to raise expectations about what's possible to achieve in health security."
The Center's mission is in keeping with UPMC's commitment to shaping tomorrow's health system through technological innovation, research, and education.
The UPMC Center for Health Security is an independent, nonprofit organization of UPMC whose mission is to strengthen US national security and resilience by reducing dangers posed by epidemics, biothreats, nuclear disasters, and other destabilizing events.
