Asymmetrical Threats: Why Medical Intelligence is the Key to Preparedness

For the world’s most consequential figures, conventional approaches to healthcare can fall short. Those whose influence shapes industry and society face an array of unconventional threats, which are often asymmetrical in nature. It is here that medical intelligence, as a proactive measure, acts as an essential pillar to ensure the preparedness and wellbeing of global leaders.    

In the video below, Dr. Robert G. Darling, former Director of the Aeromedical Isolation Team (AIT) at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at Ford Detrick, Maryland, one of the worlds pre-eminent centers for the study of biological threat agents and warfare and now Crisis 24 PSG‘s Medical Director, shares his  perspective on why medical intelligence is indispensable for addressing the unique health risks faced by leadership. 
 

Ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI) face numerous threats on a daily basis including: environmental hazards such as endemic diseases in remote areas, psychological stressors that come with frequent travel and pressure to perform at peak levels, and, finally, targeted threats like toxin attacks.  

Success, by its nature, increases exposure. Public figures and executives are not only targets of intense scrutiny and pressure, but, at times, also of intentional harm. The risks of a biological attack, though rare, are neither abstract nor theoretical, and they demand much more than traditional clinical care. They require an anticipatory approach that marries intelligence analysis, specialized response protocols, and unfaltering discretion.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has identified numerous biological threat agents, including bacteria, viruses, and toxins that can be used as weapons or intentional threats against potential victims. The most serious of these biological agents are classified as Category A and include: Anthrax, Botulism, Plague, Smallpox, Tularemia, and the Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers such as Ebola. Countering these threats requires excellent intelligence and analysis and a thorough understanding of how to mitigate and treat the disease that each agent can cause. Dr. Darling and his medical team have spent many years in the United States military studying these threats and how best to mitigate and treat them, including real world experience during the Anthrax attacks on the US Capital in 2001. 

If exposed to aerosolized Anthrax, its initial symptoms appear to be quite innocuous mimicking a common cold that can often go unnoticed. If not suspected this condition can rapidly progress to a fatal blood and lung infection and death within 24 to 48 hours. This use case underscores the necessity of preparedness rooted not only in clinical expertise but in strategic foresight as well. 

At Crisis24 PSG, we employ many of the same technologies and personnel as intelligence agencies do. We have the largest team of private-sector analysts, who are empowered with cutting-edge AI and able to seamlessly deliver intelligence to frontline teams via our 24/7 global operations centers. This enables our medical professionals to offer care at a standard once reserved for heads-of-state and their families — ensuring a level of preparedness that inspires true confidence.

As the landscape of executive healthcare continues to evolve, so too must our strategies. With medical intelligence, Crisis24 PSG’s response is always a step ahead. It’s guided by precision, discretion, and unwavering commitment. Here, medical preparedness is not just a promise; it is a standard that transforms uncertainty into resilience for its members. 

To learn more about how Crisis24 PSG’s Medical Concierge Practice delivers a head-of-state experience for its members, download our latest whitepaper.