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To remedy some of these problems, Levi's group is calling upon the federal government to increase public health and disaster preparedness funding. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should be expanding efforts to improve hospital surge capacity and community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies, Levi said.

A public survey of more than 1,000 adults included in the report found that six years after 9/11, 54 percent of Americans believe the United States is not as safe as it was before 9/11, and two years after Hurricane Katrina, almost 60 percent of Americans do not think their community is prepared to respond to a natural disaster.

The survey also found that nine out of 10 Americans would accept a voluntary quarantine and stay home in the case of a pandemic flu. But of the 10 percent who would not adhere to a voluntary quarantine, 64 percent said they could not stay home because of lost income, and 39 percent feared losing their jobs altogether.

The report also evaluated progress by the U.S. government in preparing for bioterrorism, disasters and disease. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006, issuance of presidential directives, and the new Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response are all important steps, the report said.

However, challenges remain, including adequate funding for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and increasing "transparency and accountability in all federally funded preparedness programs."

Other findings in the report include:

• Twenty-one states don't have laws that protect health-care volunteers from liability during emergencies.
• Twelve states don't have disease surveillance systems that work with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Electroni
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