Concerns about the role of air travel in disease transmission have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers have examined how factors such as boarding procedures affect the risk of exposure for passengers and crew members.
However, the partners said that more research involving global conditions and human behavior is needed and can guide actions to protect public health. Participants noted a lack of federal leadership to advance such research.
Congress should consider directing the FAA to develop and implement a research strategy on infectious diseases in aviation, in cooperation with other federal and international agencies.
What GAO Found
The GAO identified research conducted on infectious diseases in air travel in several areas. For example, research has analyzed how the air travels in airplanes and studied the effect of different flight operations—such as boarding the plane from back to front—on the risk of infection. However, GAO stakeholders interviewed described the need for more research that includes global contexts and human behavior. To see also : Former US military pilot admits to acting as China’s paid agent and lying on national security forms. Additional research can inform the development of evidence-based mitigation measures, policy, and regulations to protect public health. Participants cited several challenges, particularly the lack of federal leadership to facilitate interdisciplinary research and address gaps, in conducting research on infectious diseases in aviation. Stakeholders said the inability of researchers to access planes, airports, or data also presents difficulties in conducting the necessary research.
Examples of Situations or Behaviors That Can Affect Airborne Disease Transmission
Several organizations have focused on those areas of research that are most relevant to their priorities and missions. Such agencies include the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Transportation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). None of these organizations have made any significant efforts to promote much needed research on infectious diseases in aviation. Officials from each of these organizations said a more systematic collaborative approach to identifying and advancing relevant research could produce valuable information and inform the development of policy and guidelines. In addition, bringing together a variety of federal agencies can connect researchers and aviation stakeholders in all areas of expertise, provide clear access to federal research funding, and help identify research needs in various sectors.
While the FAA acknowledges that it has broad authority to conduct and support research into infectious diseases in aviation, the agency has maintained that this work is outside of its core mission of aviation safety. However, the FAA has the experience to initiate and support such research, as well as the strong airline industry connections necessary to advance the research needed. In particular, the FAA has conducted joint research in the past—often in response to regulatory requirements—including work on the spread of disease in airplane cabins. In addition, directing the development of a systematic plan would be consistent with the FAA’s efforts to develop an air travel preparedness plan, in cooperation with DHS and HHS, as recommended by the GAO. Such advice would help focus research efforts to better inform policy development and requirements to protect the health of passengers and crew.
Why GAO Did This Study
The CCID-19 outbreak has heightened concerns about the role of air travel in spreading the disease and raised questions about the safety of passengers and crew. On the same subject : Training your brain to reduce the risk of dementia. Research that can provide information on the types of infectious diseases in aviation can help protect public health.
The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO to monitor and report on federal efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GAO was also asked to review research on the transmission of disease in air travel. This report examines: (1) the state of research on infectious diseases in aviation, including stakeholder views on further research needs and implementation challenges, and (2) the extent to which the FAA and other federal agencies are advancing such research.
To carry out this work, GAO interviewed stakeholders, including government officials, researchers, and the aviation industry and federal representatives. The GAO also reviewed academic publications and agency documents, including research programs, as well as key partnerships.
Recommendations
Congress should consider directing the FAA to develop and implement a strategy to identify and advance needed research on infectious diseases in aviation, in collaboration with appropriate federal agencies—such as DHS and HHS—and external partners. To see also : Managing organization – Individual artist scholarships.
Matter for Congressional Consideration
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