June 20, 2007—Mike Leavitt, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced yesterday that the agency will establish a public health advisory board concerned with chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological agents. The National Biodefense Science Board will guide the Secretary on preventing, preparing for, and responding to release of such agents, accidental or deliberate.
"Planning responses to incidents involving chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological agents requires state of the art science," Leavitt said. "This new advisory board will add a wide range of expertise and viewpoints from outside of government to help inform HHS decision-making processes."
Board members are yet to be selected; the Secretary will appoint 13 members from experts in science, public health and medicine. For consideration to be a board member, e-mail a resume or CV to this address.
—Cat Vasko
