The Promise and Pitfalls of Community Resilience

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 603-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Uscher-Pines ◽  
Anita Chandra ◽  
Joie Acosta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Important Shift

AbstractAn important shift in terminology has occurred in emergency preparedness, and the concept of community resilience has become ubiquitous. Although enhancing community resilience is broader than preparedness, and emphasizes a distinct set of activities and participants, the terms are often used interchangeably. The implications of this shift have not been fully explored. This commentary describes the potential promise and pitfalls of the concept of community resilience and recommends strategies to overcome its limitations. We believe that resilience has the power to dramatically change this field in immense, positive ways, but some important challenges such as confusion about definitions and lack of accountability must first be overcome. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:603-606)

scholarly journals Collaborating with Sovereign Tribal Nations to Legally Prepare for Public Health Emergencies

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (S2) ◽  
pp. 55-58
Author(s):  
Tina Batra Hershey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Tribal Governments ◽  
Tribal Nations ◽  
Coordination And Collaboration

Public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters, are issues faced by every community. To address these threats, it is critical for all jurisdictions to understand how law can be used to enhance public health preparedness, as well as improve coordination and collaboration across jurisdictions. As sovereign entities, Tribal governments have the authority to create their own laws and take the necessary steps to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. Legal preparedness is a key component of public health preparedness. This article first explains legal preparedness and Tribal sovereignty and then describes the relationship between Tribal Nations, the US government, and states. Specific Tribal concerns with respect to emergency preparedness and the importance of coordination and collaboration across jurisdictions for emergency preparedness are discussed. Examples of collaborative efforts between Tribal and other governments to enhance legal preparedness are described.

Building a National Model of Public Mental Health Preparedness and Community Resilience: Validation of a Dual-Intervention, Systems-Based Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 511-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Lee McCabe ◽  
Natalie L. Semon ◽  
Carol B. Thompson ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lating ◽  
George S. Everly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Preparedness Planning

AbstractObjectiveWorking within a series of partnerships among an academic health center, local health departments (LHDs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs), we validated companion interventions to address community mental health planning and response challenges in public health emergency preparedness.MethodsWe implemented the project within the framework of an enhanced logic model and employed a multi-cohort, pre-test/post-test design to assess the outcomes of 1-day workshops in psychological first aid (PFA) and guided preparedness planning (GPP). The workshops were delivered to urban and rural communities in eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. Intervention effectiveness was based on changes in relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) and on several behavioral indexes.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed in self-reported and objectively measured KSAs across all cohorts. Additionally, GPP teams proved capable of producing quality drafts of basic community disaster plans in 1 day, and PFA trainees confirmed upon follow-up that their training proved useful in real-world trauma contexts. We documented examples of policy and practice changes at the levels of local and state health departments.ConclusionsGiven appropriate guidance, LHDs and FBOs can implement an effective and potentially scalable model for promoting disaster mental health preparedness and community resilience, with implications for positive translational impact.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;8:511-526)

Community ready! Assessing and meeting the needs of parents in Arlington County, VA

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Marina S. Moses, DrPH, MS ◽  
Donna S. Caruso, RN, MSN ◽  
Timothy G. Otten, MPH ◽  
Sam Simmens, PhD ◽  
Tee L. Guidotti, MD, MPH
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergency Preparedness

In March 2006, three elementary schools, composed of at least 50 percent Latino populations, were selected in Arlington, VA, to participate in a multitiered survey to evaluate parents’ emergency preparedness needs. This article describes how to identify vulnerable populations and tailor specific information and services to their public health needs. An oral survey was administered to parents in their preferred language, English or Spanish, regarding their questions, concerns, preferences, and needs pertaining to public health emergency preparedness. Major themes that emerged included the need for language and culturally sensitive preparedness information; the merit of using established community venues for parents to gather; and the importance of using group specific preferred modes of information dissemination. Significant differences were observed between English speakers and Spanish speakers’ perceived vulnerability, level of preparedness, and preferences for acquiring information. An important similarity that presented itself was that all parents surveyed regard the public school system as safe, trustworthy, and best suited for providing public health preparedness information to the community. Based on this study, an innovative model is being developed called Community Ready! which will be an all-hazards approach to public health preparedness outreach that will be reproducible in other municipalities and school districts.

Communicating Public Health Preparedness Information to Pregnant and Postpartum Women: An Assessment of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web Pages

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-137
Author(s):  
Brianna McDonough ◽  
Elizabeth Felter ◽  
Amia Downes ◽  
Jeanette Trauth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Centers For Disease Control

AbstractPregnant and postpartum women have special needs during public health emergencies but often have inadequate levels of disaster preparedness. Thus, improving maternal emergency preparedness is a public health priority. More research is needed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to how preparedness information is communicated to these women. A sample of web pages from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intended to address the preparedness needs of pregnant and postpartum populations was examined for suitability for this audience. Five of the 7 web pages examined were considered adequate. One web page was considered not suitable and one the raters split between not suitable and adequate. None of the resources examined were considered superior. If these resources are considered some of the best available to pregnant and postpartum women, more work is needed to improve the suitability of educational resources, especially for audiences with low literacy and low incomes. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:134-137)

Developing National Standards for Public Health Emergency Preparedness With a Limited Evidence Base

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Nelson ◽  
Ed Chan ◽  
Anita Chandra ◽  
Paul Sorensen ◽  
Henry H. Willis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
National Performance ◽  
Local Flexibility ◽  
Public Health Emergency Preparedness

ABSTRACTObjective: The paucity of evidence and wide variation among communities creates challenges for developing congressionally mandated national performance standards for public health preparedness. Using countermeasure dispensing as an example, we present an approach for developing standards that balances national uniformity and local flexibility, consistent with the quality of evidence available.Methods: We used multiple methods, including a survey of community practices, mathematical modeling, and expert panel discussion.Results: The article presents recommended dispensing standards, along with a general framework that can be used to analyze tradeoffs involved in developing other preparedness standards.Conclusions: Standards can be developed using existing evidence, but would be helped immensely by a stronger evidence base.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:285-290)

Emergency Preparedness in Elderly Care in Sweden: A Study of Staff Perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-93
Author(s):  
Carin Björngren Cuadra
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
And Training

AbstractObjectiveThe aim was to investigate the interface between elderly care and emergency preparedness from the elderly care staff’s perspective.MethodsA web-based questionnaire was sent to elderly care staff in 4 Swedish municipalities. The questions involved experiences of extraordinary events, education and exercises, and risk and vulnerability analyses, evaluations of main risks and emergency preparedness, and familiarity with preparedness plans. In total, 568 elderly care staff responded.ResultsBetween 15% and 25% of the respondents claimed experiences of extraordinary events, exercises and education, and risk and vulnerability analyses. The same number claimed familiarity with the organization’s preparedness plan, whereas ~85% answered that they need more education and exercises. Emergency preparedness was evaluated as important. The experiences and risks referred to pertained to both official categories used within emergency preparedness and issues such as work conditions, seniors’ fall accidents.ConclusionElderly care staff, though highly motivated, do not seem to be involved in emergency preparedness and are not targeted to a large extent when education and training are organized. A development of the interface between emergency preparedness and elderly care could require a clarification of the scope and context of emergency preparedness and of differing understandings of central concepts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:86–93)

Crisis Communication: An Inequalities Perspective on the 2010 Boston Water Crisis

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezequiel M. Galarce ◽  
K. Viswanath
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Crisis Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Water Crisis ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Behavioral Compliance

ABSTRACTObjective: Although the field of crisis risk communication has generated substantial research, the interaction between social determinants, communication processes, and behavioral compliance has been less well studied. With the goal of better understanding these interactions, this report examines how social determinants influenced communications and behavioral compliance during the 2010 Boston, Massachusetts, water crisis.Methods: An online survey was conducted to assess Boston residents' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, mass and interpersonal communication, and preventive behaviors on emergency preparedness topics dealing with the water crisis. Of a total sample of 726 respondents, approximately one-third (n = 267) reported having been affected by the water crisis. Only data from affected participants were analyzed.Results: Following an order to boil water, 87.5% of respondents refrained from drinking unboiled tap water. These behaviors and other cognitive and attitudinal factors, however, were not uniform across population subgroups. All communication and behavioral compliance variables varied across sociodemographic factors.Conclusions: Crisis communication, in conjunction with other public health preparedness fields, is central to reducing the negative impact of sudden hazards. Emergency scenarios such as the Boston water crisis serve as unique opportunities to understand how effectively crisis messages are conveyed to and received by different segments of the population.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:349-356)

Survey of New York Veterinarians to Assess Needs for Public Health Preparedness Training

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-305
Author(s):  
June Beckman-Moore ◽  
Millicent Eidson ◽  
Lindsay Ruland
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
New York State ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
York State ◽  
State And Local

ABSTRACTObjective: Because most bioterrorist disease agents are zoonotic, veterinarians are important partners in preparedness. New York State is a prime port of entry and has a network of health and emergency management agencies for response. However, knowledge and participation by veterinarians has not yet been assessed.Methods: A 25-question survey was mailed out to approximately half (1832) of the veterinarians licensed in New York State. Participants were asked about past emergency preparedness training, likelihood of participating in future training, preferred training topics, and their relationship with their local health department (LHD).Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 529 veterinarians (29%). Most (83%) reported that they were likely to participate in emergency preparedness training, but in the past 2 years, only 14% received training in zoonotic disease outbreaks and 12% in emergency preparedness. Only 21% reported having a relationship with their LHD, but 48% were interested in having one. Lack of time was the biggest obstacle to involvement with the LHD (40%). Most (69%) of those responding to the survey said they would participate in training once per year or more often.Conclusions: Inducements, such as earning continuing education credits, or the development of active networks of preparedness organizations, state and local health departments, and veterinary schools are needed to deliver emergency preparedness training and information efficiently to veterinarians.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:300-305)

Geriatric Emergency Preparedness and Response Workshops: An Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, Intentions, and Self-Efficacy of Participants

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Ellis Roush ◽  
Sandra Kay Tyson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Course Evaluation ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Emergency Preparedness And Response

ABSTRACTObjective: Older persons have levels of frailty and disability that place them at far greater risk of harm in disasters than younger adults, making it crucial for all agency planners, public health workers, and health care providers to be aware of age-appropriate considerations of preparedness and response. This research evaluated the knowledge and utilization intentions of participants of a geriatric emergency preparedness and response (GEPR) continuing education program that was designed to provide this training.Methods: A qualitative training evaluation was conducted using course evaluation questionnaires from GEPR workshops offered in 2009 in 7 nationwide cities through a partnership of the University of Texas Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness with the Texas Consortium Geriatric Education Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.Results: Evaluations were completed by 292 participants. Respondents were able to name specific information learned, give examples of applications of the material, and devise plans for further action. Participants believed that their ability to do their jobs had increased, and they provided insightful suggestions instructive to both trainers and to leaders of health care organizations.Conclusions: The results of the evaluation suggest that GEPR workshops are effective in increasing the knowledge of participants and their intentions to use it. There is both a need and a demand for this training. Developers and trainers should provide participants with sufficient time for absorbing the information, consider tailoring the training to the local context, and provide opportunity for practical application, particularly planning exercises.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:385-392)

Public Health Emergency Preparedness System Evaluation Criteria and Performance Metrics: A Review of Contributions of the CDC-Funded Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 626-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoukat H. Qari ◽  
Hussain R. Yusuf ◽  
Samuel L. Groseclose ◽  
Mary R. Leinhos ◽  
Eric G. Carbone
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
System Evaluation ◽  
Research Centers ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Public Health Emergency Preparedness

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) conducted research from 2008 to 2015 aimed to improve the complex public health emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR) system. This paper summarizes PERRC studies that addressed the development and assessment of criteria for evaluating PHEPR and metrics for measuring their efficiency and effectiveness.MethodsWe reviewed 171 PERRC publications indexed in PubMed between 2009 and 2016. These publications derived from 34 PERRC research projects. We identified publications that addressed the development or assessment of criteria and metrics pertaining to PHEPR systems and describe the evaluation methods used and tools developed, the system domains evaluated, and the metrics developed or assessed.ResultsWe identified 29 publications from 12 of the 34 PERRC projects that addressed PHEPR system evaluation criteria and metrics. We grouped each study into 1 of 3 system domains, based on the metrics developed or assessed: (1) organizational characteristics (n = 9), (2) emergency response performance (n = 12), and (3) workforce capacity or capability (n = 8). These studies addressed PHEPR system activities including responses to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the 2011 tsunami, as well as emergency exercise performance, situational awareness, and workforce willingness to respond. Both PHEPR system process and outcome metrics were developed or assessed by PERRC studies.ConclusionsPERRC researchers developed and evaluated a range of PHEPR system evaluation criteria and metrics that should be considered by system partners interested in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of their activities. Nonetheless, the monitoring and measurement problem in PHEPR is far from solved. Lack of standard measures that are readily obtained or computed at local levels remains a challenge for the public health preparedness field. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:626-638)

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