U receives grant to assess needs of business community to address pandemic influenza

CIDRAP Director Michael Osterholm. Ph.D., M.P.H., will lead an assessment of preparedness of employers in relation to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for influenza pandemics.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) has been awarded $99,250 to conduct a Pandemic Influenza Business Sector Needs Assessment.

Over the next four months, CIDRAP Director Michael Osterholm. Ph.D., M.P.H., will lead an assessment of preparedness of employers in relation to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for influenza pandemics.

Following a project kick-off in late October 2010, the needs assessment will roll out in phases.

Phase one of the assessment will consist of interviewing key stakeholders. Phase two will build on phase one through an in-person working group and a national survey. CIDRAP’s full findings will include recommendations on how CDC guidance may be improved moving forward.