Get Ready gear now available!

Worried about pandemic flu but not sure how to help? APHA's Get Ready campaign has a new line of T-shirts, mugs and other material that will help you spread the word.

Show your support for public health preparedness by sporting a Get Ready T-shirt, cap or tote. Each item features the Get Ready logo, which will undoubtedly cause people to ask: "Hey, what are you getting ready for?"

The Get Ready line includes shirts, bags, hats, mouse pads and buttons. There is even a special Get Ready shirt for your pooch and bib for your baby. Organic and value-priced shirts are also available.

Wearing the Get Ready items is a great way to get people talking and help spread the word about the importance of preparing for pandemic flu and other emerging infectious diseases.

The new materials are the latest addition to APHA's Get Ready campaign, which is helping Americans prepare themselves, their families and their communities for pandemic flu and other emerging infectious diseases. The campaign, launched in 2006, includes a website , podcasts, fact sheets and news feed in addition to this blog. APHA’s affiliated state and regional public health associations are working to bring the Get Ready campaign's message to communities.

Check out the new gear at the APHA Get Ready store .

Get an ear-full of flu news!

Concerned about pandemic influenza, but don't have the time to read through pages and pages of information? APHA's Get Ready campaign can help. Download our podcast series, now featuring our latest episode, to begin learning about pandemic influenza and preparedness. Just plug in your earphones and listen on the go. There's no reading required.

Our newest episode, "For pandemic flu prevention, the best advice may be 'rub-a-dub-dub,'" reminds listeners that (in this case anyway!) their mothers were right –- wash your hands! Handwashing proves to be one of the simplest and easiest ways to prevent the spread of disease, including flu.

The new podcast adds to the growing collection of Get Ready tools that help educate the public about protecting themselves, their families and their communities against a potential pandemic, as well as advise people on other issues such as news on the seasonal flu or infectious diseases.

Other entries in the series include "Flu 101," the two-part debut podcast, which features APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, discussing the threat of pandemic flu and APHA's Get Ready campaign. "Seasonal Flu," covered in episode 3, paints an overview of the difference between pandemic and seasonal influenza.

Click here to check out our expanding podcast series: http://www.getreadyforflu.org/pg_podcast.htm

Give a listen, and send us your ideas on what topics you'd like to see covered in future podcasts using the comments feature on the blog below.

Pandemic Flu Blog Summit Comes to a Close

APHA's Get Ready campaign thanks the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for hosting the blog summit on pandemic influenza. Thanks also go to our partners who have participated with posts and comments. It’s been a lively five weeks!

APHA's Dr. Benjamin was pleased to participate. Read his last blog post.

While many positions were expressed, one thing is clear: There is a lot of passion around preparing for pandemic flu. Now the will, leadership and resources must follow!

Participate today or check out the summit entries and comments, including the final post from Secretary Leavitt (coming today [June 27th]!) at http://blog.pandemicflu.gov/.

The APHA Get Ready campaign is all a’Twitter!

Can’t get enough info on emerging infectious diseases such as XDR-TB or bird flu?

APHA’s Get Ready campaign now has an online news page with links to the latest information and resources on emerging infectious diseases. Updated regularly, the Get Ready Twitter is a one-stop page where visitors can find quick, easy information on topics such as animal-borne diseases, avian flu, XDR-TB, SARS and other infectious diseases from a variety of different sources.

The news Twitter is the latest addition to the Get Ready campaign, which includes a Web site, blog, podcasts and other free resources. Created in 2006, the APHA Get Ready campaign is helping Americans prepare themselves, their families and their communities for pandemic influenza and other emerging infectious diseases. APHA's affiliated state and regional public health associations are working to bring the campaign and its message to the public.

Twitter, launched online in 2006, is a new type of online tool that is similar to a blog. But unlike blogs, which have lengthy, detailed postings and photos, Twitter only allows users to creating postings of 140 words or less. The tool is attractive to those who want to post short, quick entries throughout the day or stay up to date on what others are doing.

Earlier this year, Portland, Ore., resident Scott Hanselman successfully used his Twitter, Twittering my Diabetes, to document his daily experiences with diabetes and raise money for the American Diabetes Association.

The APHA Get Ready Twitter has an RSS feed, which means that Web users can stay up date on new posts as they are made. To subscribe to the feed, add http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/6751882.rss to your RSS reader or add the feed URL to your MyYahoo! or Google news page.

Web users can also visit the APHA Get Ready Twitter directly at www.twitter.com/getready.

Community leaders have a vital role to play in pandemic preparedness, HHS forum says

Community leaders should take steps now to make sure their residents are prepared for a possible pandemic of influenza, according to a national forum on influenza held in Washington, D.C., June 13.

Organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the one-day Pandemic Influenza Leadership Forum brought together about 100 leaders from the employer, faith-based, civic and health care sectors.

Among the recommendations that came out of the forum are that community leaders communicate to residents that it is critical for everyone to prepare for the possibility of a flu pandemic. Of key importance is encouraging Americans now to store food and supplies, to get in the habit of washing their hands and to stay home if they are sick, the forum emphasized. Leader can use tools and ideas, such as those provided by HHS or APHA’s Get Ready campaign, to communicate those messages to the public.

Community leaders, such as those involved with civic groups, faith-based organizations, health agencies and schools, "are in a unique position to help disseminate vital information which may save lives," said forum attendee Susan Crosson-Knutson, program development department manager of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

"Leadership at the community level is essential in encouraging people to prepare now for a pandemic flu," Crosson-Knutson said.

APHA, HHS and other health officials are concerned about pandemic flu because a severe outbreak could kill 62 million people worldwide and overwhelm the health care system.

A blog covering the forum and pandemic influenza preparedness is available online.