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Expert Urges Congress to Bolster National Health Alert System

Health expert calls for congressional action to enhance the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a key tool for early threat detection and public health policy, as reported by BioMedWire.

This news matters because the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a cornerstone of U.S. public health infrastructure, providing the data that informs life-saving policies, from food safety standards to disease prevention campaigns. If the system is underfunded or neglected, it could weaken our ability to detect and respond to emerging health threats—like pandemics or chronic disease epidemics—early, potentially leading to higher healthcare costs, increased mortality, and broader societal impacts. Strengthening NHANES ensures that policymakers have the evidence needed to protect community health and allocate resources effectively, directly affecting public safety and well-being.