Public Health Perils
Public Health Response

October 25 - 26, 2001 

The events of September 11 have revealed vulnerabilities to terrorism in this country that had not previously engaged the public’s consciousness. Among these vulnerabilities is the threat of bioterrorism – a weapon that has been available to nations for many years but has remained restrained or unused. How likely is that restraint to continue? And with the genetic revolution, what are the possible new threats to the public’s health? 

• Can we know whether there is an intentional release of pathogens or chemical agents or an emerging infection or accident? 
• How can the public health system best respond in either case?
• The essence of terrorism is not merely to cause physical harm but to create the fear of harm.  How should we respond to both physical and psychological harms?
• What are the precautions that individuals, states, and nations can take to prevent a bioterrorism public health catastrophe?
• Is there a need to question the free dissemination of scientific knowledge by and within universities?
• What can we do as teachers, researchers and students to assure that science will not be used to create weapons of mass destruction?

We invite all of you in the Harvard and public health communities to consider these questions and contribute your own at a special two-part symposium on bioterrorism.

-- Dean Barry R. Bloom

Video Coverage from Symposium

Public Health Perils held October 25, 2001:

• View webcast, Part I

Public Health Response held October 26, 2001:

• View webcast, Part II (first hour)
• View webcast, Part II (second hour)

Related News and Articles

Survey Shows Anthrax Incidents Have Impact on People’s Worries and Behaviors in Three Cities Where Bioterrorism Reported -- press release of December 17, 2001.

What Me Worry?  You have a better chance of getting killed by lightning than anthrax. -- opinion piece by HSPH's George Gray and David Ropeik reprinted courtesy of the Boston Globe, November 11, 2001. (PDF file).

Effects of September 11th Attacks on Occupational Health Field Discussed -- from Harvard Public Health NOW, November 16, 2001.

Survey Shows Americans Not Panicking over Anthrax, but Starting to Take Steps to Protect Themselves Against Possible Bioterrorist Attacks -- press release of November 8, 2001.

Stephen Marks Reviews US Civil Liberties and Human Rights after September 11th Attacks -- from Harvard Public Health NOW, November 2, 2001. 

Symposium Panelists Discuss Bioterrorism -- from Harvard Public Health NOW, November 2, 2001.

Leaning Reviews Wartime Relief Efforts in Afghanistan --  from Harvard Public Health NOW, October 19, 2001. 

HSPH Gathers for Support in Wake of Attacks -- from Harvard Public Health NOW, September 21, 2001.