The NHSPI aims to provide an accurate portrayal of the nation’s health security using relevant, actionable information to help guide efforts to achieve a higher level of health security and preparedness.
The Index is intended to be used to:
Short-Term Objectives: Deliver a structure for portraying public health and health system national preparedness components and establish a framework for further development.
Long-Term Objectives: Establish a standardized, universally-accepted assessment and reporting tool that encompasses all components impacting national health preparedness and informs development of additional measures that more fully reflect the state of our health security.
Development of the NHSPI has been shared among multiple organizations and entities.
The first two Index releases in December 2013 and December 2014 were supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and developed through a collaborative effort of more than 30 organizations led by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins University.
In January 2015, responsibility for the Index transferred to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with the Index Program Management Office located at the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado and staffed through a collaboration with the Center for Business and Economic Research, Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky.
The Analytic Methodology, Model Design, and the Stakeholder Engagement and Communication working groups provide input and feedback on Index production throughout the year, while a National Advisory Committee provides guidance to the Foundation and Program Management Office on strategic issues.
In all, more than 100 individuals representing more than 35 organizations have contributed to the design, development, and implementation of the Index since 2013. In addition, feedback from state preparedness directors, state health officials, and association partners through formal review processes helped shape the current version of the NHSPI. Development of the Index in future years will continue to advance through improvements in measurement science, incorporation of new data sources, and ongoing engagement with and input from the many sectors that contribute to health security and preparedness.
