Flu.gov is a one-stop Web site for federal information on seasonal and pandemic flu activities. The broad national response to H1N1 flu includes encouraging people to follow good hygiene to avoid infection and to be vaccinated. For more information, see:
Q&A and PowerPoint about the H1N1flu and how to protect yourself and your family, federal government preparations and the role of vaccines in preventing spread of the flu. Flu.gov includes checklists for state and local governments, communities, individuals, businesses, work places and schools.
School closing decision tools for local school districts to use during the 2009-2010 school year, depending on the severity of flu conditions in each community.
New guidelines for businesses to prepare for the possible impact of the flu on their employees this fall.
The groups that should receive the vaccine first have been identified by expert advisors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include including pregnant women, children 6 months through 4 years of age, children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions, and those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age or are medical services workers with direct patient contact. The elderly over age 65 should receive the seasonal flu vaccine as early as possible this year.
Each state’s program preparations for seasonal and H1N1 flu, including the share of the $350 million grants to states and hospitals for pandemic flu planning and preparation released by the CDC in July. All states have antiviral drugs and supplies from the strategic national stockpile.
Flu maps indicate the geographic spread of influenza in the U.S.
The CSG, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is completing a series of publications and educational sessions on effective policies to prevent and control sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy. Click here for more information.
Deaths from prescription drug overdoses have increased to the point where they exceed deaths from heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs combined, and most are accidental. State programs gaining more importance as tools to combat this epidemic are prescription drug monitoring programs and drug courts. "Accidental Overdoses from Legal Drugs" in CSG's State News magazine highlights these state programs.
