Report finds state unprepared for outbreaks

NEW BRUNSWICK (AP) — A new report finds that New Jersey is among the states least-prepared for outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The study released Thursday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows New Jersey stacks up in only three of 10 indicators considered.

Only West Virginia did worst, though half the states and Washington, D.C., scored at five or lower.

The foundation gives New Jersey passing grades for public health funding, preparing for emerging threats and having toddlers vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

The areas where the state falls short include getting children and adults vaccinated against the flu and planning for climate change.

New Jersey Health Department spokeswoman Donna Leusner questions the results, pointing to a different recent study that showed the state with a low infectious disease rate.

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