Resources

Pandemic Influenza Workshop for Businesses
Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

Workshop Summary

The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the Upper Midwest Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Iowa College of Public Health sponsored a workshop on preparedness for pandemic influenza for businesses on Thursday, September 28, 2006 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. 

Dr. Gregory Gray provided an overview of pandemic influenza, which included discussion of risks, the course of the disease, and the potential of pharmaceuticals to reduce the disease.  Dr. Andrew Rucks addressed assumptions regarding a pandemic’s effect on business operations, including the workforce, and techniques for preventing or limiting the disease.  Strategies businesses can utilize to prepare for continuity of operations during a pandemic was of special focus.  A discussion panel was lead by Christopher Atchison, Lee Clancey and Keith Erickson at the end of the workshop.  The discussion included Mr. Erickson’s review of the Linn County pandemic influenza plan.

Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions (pdf) - Christopher Atchison
2. Overview and Science of Pandemic Influenza (pdf) - Dr. Gregory Gray
3. Pandemic Preparedness for Businesses and Strategies to Prepare for Continuity of Operations (pdf) / Bibliography (pdf) Dr. Andrew Rucks

Speakers

Christopher G. Atchison, MPA, Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Clinical Professor in Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health

Lee Clancey, BA, President and CEO, Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

Gregory Gray, MD, MPH, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health and Director, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa

Keith Erickson, MA, Director, Linn County (Iowa) Public Health

Andrew Rucks, MBA, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and Investigator with the South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness

Handouts and Additional Resources

• “It’s Not Flu As Usual – What Businesses Need to Know About Pandemic Flu Planning” brochure by Trust for America’s Health
• MarketWatch report “Preparing your business for a flu pandemic”
• Upper Midwest Center for Public Health Preparedness Grand Rounds Presentation titled “Genesis of an Influenza Pandemic: Preparedness vs. Poultry, Poverty, and Practices” by Dr. Nancy Cox, Director, Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available via archived web cast.  
• Video footage of the Iowa Pandemic Flu Summit, hosted by Goernor Vilsack and HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, held in Des Moines on 02/03/2006.
• OtoRhinoLounsburgology Productions “Why Don’t We Do It In Our Sleeves” video on coughing etiquette.