July 8, 2005
Dr. David Hunter
Chair
United Kingdom Public Health Association
7th Floor, Holborn Gate
330 High Holborn
London, WC1V 7BA
United Kingdom
Mr. Stuart Royston
Chief Executive
The Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
38A St. George's Drive
London, SW1V 4BH
United Kingdom
Dear Dr. Hunter and Mr. Royston:
On behalf of the American Public Health Association, we extend our condolences to you and all those affected by yesterday's terror attacks in London. We are deeply saddened by these tragic events and share in your loss and suffering.
As public health professionals, we acknowledge the critical role public health workers play as frontline responders to disasters and acts of terror and in managing the immediate and long-term health and mental health consequences for victims, responders and affected communities. We are enormously grateful to the thousands of health professionals who are providing the care to meet these health needs.
The American Public Health Association condemns all acts of terror that seek to invoke fear, inflict harm and destabilize the infrastructure upon which we rely for assuring the delivery of public health services. We pledge our support in working to prepare to better respond to and prevent future acts of terror to protect the health of all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Georges C. Benjamin
Executive Director
Dr. Walter Tsou
President
cc: Dr. Allen K. Jones
Secretary General
World Federation of Public Health Associations
c/o American Public Health Association