@article{ref1,
title="The impact of anthrax attacks on the American public",
journal="Medscape general medicine",
year="2002",
author="Blendon, Robert J. and Benson, John M. and DesRoches, Catherine M. and Pollard, William E. and Parvanta, Claudia and Herrmann, Melissa J.",
volume="4",
number="2",
pages="1-1",
abstract="CONTEXT: Incidents involving anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) through the mail in 4 metropolitan areas have raised concerns about the public's response nationally and locally. OBJECTIVE: To examine public response to these incidents and what it reveals about the demand placed on health professionals and public health officials nationally, in affected areas, and by affected people. DESIGN: Random-digit-dialed telephone surveys of samples of households nationally and in 3 specific metropolitan areas where cases of anthrax were reported: the District of Columbia; Trenton/Princeton, New Jersey; and Boca Raton, Florida. OUTCOME MEASURE: Respondents were asked a series of questions measuring their level of concern and their behavior in response to threats of anthrax and potential bioterrorist acts. RESULTS: The lives of a large share of people were affected in 3 metropolitan areas where anthrax incidents occurred. Residents of those 3 areas and people there who were affected by the incidents expressed a higher level of concern and took more precautions handling their mail. However, these incidents did not lead to great demands on the health system. CONCLUSIONS: The incidents of anthrax created anxieties, especially in areas where incidents occurred. There was some increased demand on the health system, but the demands were not large-scale. In the event of a major outbreak of disease, most Americans will rely heavily on their own physician for advice. Both national and local systems of population-based information gathering about the public's response to bioterrorist attacks are needed.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1531-0132",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}