Emerging infectious diseases: Public health issues for the 21st century

Infectious diseases are the third leading cause of death in the United Stat es and the Leading cause worldwide. As the new millennium approaches, the p ublic health community must replenish capacity depleted during years of ina dequate funding while simultaneously incorporating new technologies and pla nning for the Longer term. Among the challenges facing the public health co mmunity is the need for coordinated, global, multisectoral approaches to pr eventing and controlling complex infectious disease problems.