One Year after 9/11: The Impact of Global Terrorism on Public Health Education

Abstract

As we mark one year after the September 11 (9 /11) attack of the World Trade Center in New York, and the killing or traumatizing of thousands of innocent persons, global terrorism remains an issue of concern for political leaders, the business world and educators. The implications of terrorism to public health education are many and varied. At the minimum, 9 /11 increased the immediate need for additional public health education to help people cope and deal with both the immediate and long-term effects of terrorist acts all over the world. Public health education plays a leading role in managing the fear and insecurity created by global terrorism . Through health education people are informed about emergency crisis management procedures. Knowing what to do in the face of a terrorist attack may reduce the negative health impact of global terrorism . For instance, people should be educated on biological agents and chemicals that have the potential for being used as terrorist weapons, and what to do when they are used. Such information is also crucial in imbuing those who handle these agents with the responsibility of preventing the agents from ending up in the hands of potential terrorists.