Infectious disease -- a threat to global health and security [editorial]

In June 1996 the US White House adopted a new national public health policy for managing threats of emerging and reemerging infections. The policy known as NSTC-7 was initiated by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and is based upon a report on infectious diseases as a global health threat released in September 1995. At least six cabinet departments and as many more independent government agencies were actively involved in the NSTC initiative. Given the focus upon heart disease and cancer and the relative neglect of infectious diseases in the US by national health agencies and other granting bodies the development and announcement of this policy are strongly welcomed. It is encouraging that the myriad infectious agents and diseases currently identified worldwide will be given top-level policymaker attention. Worldwide there are many infectious diseases to watch out for. NSTC-7 will result in the closer scrutiny of persons animals and materials crossing US borders and travelers will be provided with information and guidance about disease which they may have acquired abroad. Better domestic surveillance and doctors sensitized to look for exotic syndromes are also needed. Some structure will now exist to oversee international disease surveillance and respond in the case of an outbreak. The author emphasizes the need for adequate resources training and ongoing research in the infectious diseases.