State’s health security above national average

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Department of health says the state’s overall health security exceeds the National Health Security Preparedness Index average.

The index measures the nation’s readiness to protect people during a health emergency or disaster. The index reports Oklahoma as rating at or above the national average in 12 health security measures.

With an overall national average of 7.4, Oklahoma ranked slightly above at 7.5. Areas with individual ratings at or above the national average include health security surveillance, biological monitoring and laboratory testing and food and water security.

Scott Sproat, director of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Service, says it’s the second year Oklahoma has been above the national average. The index helps identify the many factors that influence health security preparedness, the development of new collaborations and mobilization improvements.