To the Editor:

It is an honor to write this letter in support of the American Medical Association’s Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.

Health Action in Crises (HAC) is the World Health Organization (WHO)–wide effort to optimize the Organization’s capacity to strengthen and support Member States and others in preparing for and responding to crises. HAC focuses on assessing health priorities in crises and emergency settings, coordinating health interventions, ensuring that gaps are identified and filled particularly in relation to restoration of basic public health functions, and supporting local capacity and systems strengthening. HAC also focuses on assisting Member States in developing comprehensive strategies for emergency preparedness and risk reduction and in supporting countries in strengthening health transition and recovery programs following crises, disasters, and conflicts.

I congratulate the American Medical Association for the support they have given over the years in meeting the demand for well-trained health care professionals in response to disasters. This new journal is an ideal vehicle for defining the science of disasters and public health emergencies for all disciplines that have a role and a responsibility in protecting the health of a population.

Please accept WHO-HAC’s sincere best wishes for the inaugural issue and the many successful editions that will follow.

Ala Alwan, MD

Assistant Director-General, World Health Organization