Emerging Issues

Judi Freyman, leader of the Western Occupational Safety and Health network, has been following developments in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Judi published an article intended to provide overview information to help Mercer ORC Networks members track and monitor developments for future planning. The article is available below.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have posted a Joint Statement on Bed Bug Control in the United States. This document highlights emerging public health issues associated with bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) in communities throughout the United States.

During the past two years, ORC has been working with county health departments in California to encourage business participation in the CDC Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI). This is a federally funded program to prepare major U.S cities to effectively respond to a large scale public health emergency within a short time frame. There has been increased interest generated in this program due to the recent swine flu outbreak.