Defense civil support: DOD, HHS, and DHS should use existing coordination mechanisms to improve their pandemic preparedness

This report assesses the preparedness of the Department of Defense (DOD) to supporting civil authorities in the event of a domestic outbreak of a pandemic disease. It also assesses the ability of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland (DHS) to respond to a pandemic.

The U.S. Army estimates that if a severe infectious disease pandemic were to occur today, the number of U.S. fatalities could be almost twice the total number of battlefield fatalities in all of America’s wars since the American Revolution in 1776. For this reason, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed agency pandemic guidance and plans, interagency coordination mechanisms, and pandemic-related exercises and after-action reports. 

The GAO recommends that DOD, HHS, and DHS use existing coordination mechanisms to explore opportunities to improve preparedness and response to a pandemic if DOD’s capabilities are limited.