Policy & Legislative Priorities

Increased Adoption of Reusable Respirators

The US remains overly reliant on single-use disposable N95 masks to protect healthcare workers, essential workers, and the general public during respiratory infectious disease outbreaks. While disposable masks have an important place in healthcare and certain other settings, they are less protective and less sustainable than reusable respirators. Greater adoption of reusable respirators by hospitals and our Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) would be more cost effective over the long term to best protect frontline workers during a health emergency. 

Currently, the SNS has no dedicated funding to procure respirators of any kind. It has relied on supplemental funding in emergencies to buy respirators rather than having them ready to rapidly distribute. Stockpiling reusable respirators now will also help establish the necessary systems and trainings to ensure the respirators are distributed and used effectively. Policymakers can act by learning more about reusable respirators and making the needed investments to include them in the SNS and other stockpiles so we are prepared to respond to the next health emergency.

For more information, visit the Center’s Increasing Respiratory Protection for the Next Pandemic project page.
 

Center-Produced Resources

Infographic

• Reusable Respirators Infographic (July 2024)

Reports

• The Major Role of Reusable Respirators in Increasing Respiratory Protection for Future Infectious Disease Emergencies: A Stakeholder Discussion (July 2024)
• Masks and Respirators for the 21st Century: Policy Changes Needed to Save Lives and Prevent Societal Disruption (October 2021)

One-Pager

• Reusable Respirators to Protect Workers at Risk in Emergencies Summary (PDF)

Gene Synthesis Screening

Nucleic acid synthesis has revolutionized the life sciences industry, enabling breakthroughs in medicine and agriculture that can save lives and feed the world. This technology allows for on-demand production of user-specified nucleic acids (eg, genes), serving as potential medicines or tools for biomanufacturing. While legitimate research uses these techniques to develop new vaccines, treatments, and research methods, the same technology could potentially be misused for nefarious purposes. The dual-use nature of synthetic biology with nucleic acid synthesis underscores the need for effective governance mechanisms. As the field expands, it's crucial for lawmakers and government agencies worldwide to implement safeguards, ensuring that companies know their customers and understand the biological capabilities of their products. Establishing nucleic acid synthesis screening programs and practices could improve biosecurity, mitigate potential misuse, and ensure the industry grows in a way that prioritizes safety and security.

For more information and resources, visit the Center’s Gene Synthesis Screening Information Hub.

AIxBio (Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology)

AIxBio explores the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology—highlighting both its immense promise for advancing public health, medicine, diagnostics, and outbreak detection, and its profound potential risks, particularly in enabling the recreation of dangerous pathogens or the creation of novel biological threats that could enable pandemics. By conducting rigorous research and engaging with policymakers and other external stakeholders, CHS aims to guide policymakers, scientists, AI developers, and other key stakeholders in harnessing AI-driven biotech innovations safely while mitigating high-consequence dual-use risks.

For more information, visit the Center’s AIxBio page. 

Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP)

DURC and PEPP underscores how certain biological research—though intended for public health or scientific benefit—can also be misused to create novel or more dangerous pathogens. CHS recommends extending the 2024 policy’s scope to include privately funded research, boost agency resources for enforcement, require transparent reporting of oversight decisions, and mandate quarterly review of classified projects by the NSC or OSTP.

Center-Produced Resources

Events

• Southeast Asia Strategic Dialogue on Biosecurity, April 16-18, 2024
• Southeast Asia Strategic Dialogue on Biosecurity, April 26-28, 2023

Center News

• Center for Health Security faculty respond to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy RFI on Dual Use Research of Concern and Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight Policy Framework (October 16, 2023)
• Center Faculty Respond to the NSABB Document “Proposed Biosecurity Oversight Framework for the Future of Science” (January 27, 2023)
• Center Faculty Contribute to Commentary Published in Science About Strengthening Oversight of Research Involving Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens (December 8, 2022)
• Response to Recommendations on US Policy Governing Potential Pandemic Pathogen and Dual Use Research (September 21, 2022)
• Group of Scientists, Public Health Experts, Policy Researchers Propose Strengthening of US Government’s Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogen Framework and Dual Use Research of Concern Policies (July 8, 2022)

One-Pager

• Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP) (PDF)

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

The air we breathe can contain harmful particles such as allergens, smoke, and pathogens, impacting our health. Therefore, improving air quality is crucial for our well-being. This is particularly important for indoor air quality (IAQ), as we spend 90% of our time indoors. The Center for Health Security has launched multiple initiatives to raise awareness, provide resources, and recommend policy changes to improve IAQ. By implementing these policies, we aim to enhance public health and strengthen infrastructure to protect against airborne diseases and health emergencies. The Center is dedicated to offering recommendations for attainable, cost-effective, and phased approaches and centralized resources for achieving better IAQ at both the state and federal levels. To turn our research into policy action, the Center developed the Model Clean Indoor Air Act, which provides a comprehensive framework for US states to create legislation aimed at improving IAQ.

For more information, visit the Center’s Indoor Air Quality project page.

High-Risk Viral Families Medical Countermeasures

To prepare for future pandemics, the US must be ready to detect and protect against potential pandemic pathogens. Given the uncertainty of the next disease threat developing preemptive medical countermeasures is challenging. The solution lies in investing in countermeasures targeting viral families and using platform technologies. This proactive approach will not only safeguard against unknown future threats but also provide protection against existing and potential deliberate threats, offering a significant return on investment. Much of the innovation in medicine is already pushing toward these types of technologies, and policymakers must act now to establish a robust program supporting this critical research and development. By implementing a flexible investment strategy for such innovative countermeasures, we can maximize our potential to save lives, secure the highest return on investment, and significantly reduce the disruptions of future pandemics.

For more information, visit the Center’s High-Risk Viral Families Medical Countermeasure Program project page.

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) Reauthorization

Since its original passage in 2006, PAHPA has been the cornerstone of US pandemic preparedness. The act and each subsequent bipartisan reauthorization has provided funding and guidelines for developing medical countermeasures, improving public health infrastructure, and enhancing coordination among federal, state, and local agencies during health crises. Facing expiration, Congress needs to come together once again to reauthorize this critical piece of legislation to improve our nation’s health security.

One-Pager: Reauthorizing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) (PDF)

Other Policy & Legislative Priorities

The Center supports or provides resources on other key policies or legislative actions:

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

• Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Health Security: National Defense Authorization Act Biodefense Priorities: A Dialogue with Assistant Secretary of Defense Deborah G. Rosenblum (December 2023)

Biosafety

• How to Reduce the Risk of a Catastrophic Lab Accident (July 2024)