Air travel and communicable diseases: status of research efforts and action still needed to develop federal preparedness plan : testimony before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives

Air travel and communicable diseases: status of research efforts and action still needed to develop federal preparedness plan : testimony before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science. Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, June 23, 2020
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Air Travel
Communicable Diseases -- transmission
Disaster Planning -- legislation & jurisprudence
Government Regulation
Pandemics -- legislation & jurisprudence
Travel-Related Illness
COVID-19 -- transmission
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. The transmission of COVID-19 has been greatly aided by air travel. In light of the pandemic and warnings about the risks of air travel, U.S. passenger airline traffic fell by 96 percent in April 2020 as compared to April 2019. COVID-19 is only the latest communicable disease threat to raise public health concerns regarding the spread of contagion through air travel. Ensuring that the United States is prepared to respond to disease threats from air travel, as well as conducting the necessary research to reduce the risks of contagion, are two vital responsibilities of the federal government. This statement provides information on (1) the U.S. aviation system’s preparedness to respond to communicable disease threats and (2) FAA’s management of its R&D portfolio, including the extent to which disease transmission on aircraft and at airports has been the focus of FAA research. This statement is based on GAO-16-127 issued in December 2015 and GAO-17-372 issued in April 2017. GAO conducted updates to obtain information on the actions agencies have taken to address these reports’ recommendations. What GAO recommends. GAO made several recommendations in its prior work, including that DOT develop a comprehensive national aviation-preparedness plan, and that FAA identify long-term R&D priorities, among other things. Progress has been made in addressing some of the recommendations. Continued attention is needed to ensure that the remainder of these recommendations are addressed.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (12 pages, 1 unnumbered page))
NLM Unique ID:
9918284266606676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918284266606676