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The U.S. is generally prepared to manage public health emergencies like the Houston floods, a Zika virus outbreak or a potential bioterrorist attack, but health protections aren’t distributed evenly across the country, according to a new state-by-state analysis. The 2016 National Health Security Preparedness Index, which measures how communities respond to and recover from “large-scale emergencies,” shows states getting better in areas like health security and engaging their communities than 2014 and 2015. But the national index score of 6.7 on a 10-point scale shows plenty of room for improvement. (Japsen, 4/25)

The index tracks the nation's progress in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and other emergencies at both a state and national level. It uses more than 100 different measures, from influenza vaccination rates to hazard planning for public schools, to get a composite score that "reflects the most comprehensive picture of health security preparedness available," according to a news release. (Brooks, 4/26)

As with nearly all of New England the Northeast, Vermont's overall health security and preparedness is above the national average. Vermont stands at 7.3 for the 2016 Index release. (4/26)

A new index released Monday ranks Oregon among the 10 best states across the nation for emergency preparedness in the area of incident and information management. The National Health Security Preparedness Index, released Monday evening by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and prepared by the University of Kentucky, gave the Beaver State a 7.0 out on 10.0 scale for overall preparedness, which beat the national average of 6.7. However, the assessment shows the state still needs to improve in the area of health care delivery should a disaster, such as a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, strike. (Currie, 4/26)

Missouri scores slightly better than the national average for its preparations for a national health emergency such as a Zika virus outbreak, according to a new report. (Bernhard, 4/26)

Kentucky is one of 18 states scoring above the national average when it comes to preparedness for health-related emergencies. ... A University of Kentucky team manages the index. Health Police Professor Glen Mays says Kentucky’s health surveillance efforts are sound. “The state’s ability to use existing data to give early warning signals of where there may be health problems that are popping up, spikes in disease or injury that may signify a growing emergency,” explained Mays. (Johnson, 4/27)

Georgia is improving on its preparedness for health emergencies, but its overall rating remains below the national average, according to a new report. The 2016 National Health Security Preparedness Index shows the United States as a whole scoring 6.7 on a 10-point scale for preparedness — an improvement since the ratings began three years ago. Georgia scored a 6.2. (Miller, 4/26)

Hospitals and health care providers in West Virginia have made significant improvements in their emergency preparedness since 2013, but the state lags behind in areas of surveillance that could help prevent an emergency, according to a new study. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its 2016 National Health Security Preparedness Index this week, and West Virginia and 15 other states scored below the national average. (Nuzum, 4/26)