The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) employs its Health Alert Network (HAN) to distribute crucial and timely public health information and prevention/treatment guidelines. This system reaches healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, veterinarians, dentists, long-term care facilities, Tribal health centers, and local health departments via email and text messages.
HAN is a nationwide system designed to coordinate and share vital public health event information, strengthening emergency preparedness at local, state, and federal levels. Communication is categorized into three levels: a Health Alert conveys the highest importance, warranting immediate action; a Health Advisory provides important information that might not require immediate action; and a Health Update offers updated information, unlikely to require immediate action.