A Program for Local Health Departments to Adapt and Implement Evidence-Based Emergency Preparedness Programs

Local health departments and their employees are at the forefront of emergency preparedness and response. Yet, recent studies have found that some local public health workers are unwilling to report to work in a variety of disaster scenarios. This can greatly compromise a response, as many local health departments need “all hands on deck” to effectively meet increased demands. To address these concerns, local health departments have employed varied policy strategies to ensure that employees do report to work. After describing different approaches taken by local health departments throughout the United States, we briefly identify and explore key ethics considerations that arise for local health departments when employees are required to report to work for emergency responses. We then discuss how these ethics considerations may inform local health department practices intended to promote a robust emergency response.

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The Adoption of Social Media and Mobile Health Technologies for Emergency Preparedness by Local Health Departments

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice ◽

10.1097/phh.0000000000000056 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 259-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Sara Rubin ◽

Nidhi Bouri ◽

Nina Jolani ◽

Kathleen Minton

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Mobile Health ◽

Emergency Preparedness ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Departments ◽

Local Health Departments ◽

Health Technologies

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Implementing administrative evidence based practices: lessons from the field in six local health departments across the United States

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-015-0891-3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kathleen Duggan ◽

Kristelle Aisaka ◽

Rachel G. Tabak ◽

Carson Smith ◽

Paul Erwin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

The United States ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Departments ◽

Local Health Departments ◽

Evidence Based Practices ◽

Administrative Evidence

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Evidence-Based Interventions to Control Diabetes by Local Health Departments in the United States

Diabetes ◽

10.2337/db18-694-p ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 67 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 694-P

Author(s):

RACHEL G. TABAK ◽

RENEE G. PARKS ◽

PEG M. ALLEN ◽

REBEKAH R. JACOB ◽

STEPHANIE MAZZUCCA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

The United States ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Departments ◽

Local Health Departments ◽

Control Diabetes

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Enhancing Emergency Preparedness and Response Systems: Correlates of Collaboration between Local Health Departments and School Districts

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/00333549141296s414 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 129 (6_suppl4) ◽

pp. 107-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kimberley I. Shoaf ◽

Melissa M. Kelley ◽

Kaitlin O'Keefe ◽

Katharine D. Arrington ◽

Michael L. Prelip

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Emergency Preparedness ◽

School Systems ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Departments ◽

Local Health Departments ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

The Future ◽

Emergency Preparedness And Response ◽

General Experience

Objective. Collaboration between existing components of the public health system is important for protecting public health and promoting community resilience. We describe the factors that promote collaborative emergency preparedness and response activities between local health departments (LHDs) and school systems. Methods. We gathered data from a multistage, stratified random sample of 750 LHDs nationwide. Utilizing a mailed invitation, we recruited respondents to participate in an online questionnaire. We calculated descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. The majority of LHDs collaborated with school systems for emergency preparedness and response activities and most indicated they were likely to collaborate in the future. Characteristics of the jurisdiction, general experience and perceptions of collaboration, and characteristics of the preparedness collaboration itself predicted future collaboration. Conclusion. Our results help us understand the nature of collaborations between LHDs and school systems on emergency preparedness and response activities, which can be used to identify priority areas for developing successful and sustainable joint efforts in the future. By focusing on the perceived value of collaboration and building on existing non-preparedness partnering, communities can increase the likelihood of ongoing successful LHD-school system emergency preparedness collaborations.

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The role of information technology in emergency preparedness by local health departments: A literature review

Journal of Emergency Management ◽

10.5055/jem.2014.0183 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 327 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jonas Nguh, PhD, MSN, MHSA, RN

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Literature Review ◽

Strategic Management ◽

Emergency Management ◽

Emergency Preparedness ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Departments ◽

Local Health Departments ◽

Role Of Information

Ever since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the federal government increased funding for emergency preparedness. However, the literature continues to document several areas of weaknesses in public health emergency management by local health departments (LHD). This literature review discusses the role of information technology (IT) for emergency preparedness by LHDs. The focus areas for this review include evaluating the strategic management of IT by LHD, evaluation of the adoption and implementation of IT in emergency management, and assessing LHD's capacity and capability for emergency preparedness. Findings reveal that LHDs face significant challenges in the utilization of IT for emergency preparedness purposes such as weak capacity and capabilities, lack of structured planning and program implementation, and limited resources. Implications from this review include the development of “best practices,” increased funding for IT infrastructure, and the establishment of strategic management framework for IT initiatives.

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Have Maryland local health departments effectively put in place the information technology relevant to emergency preparedness?

Journal of Emergency Management ◽

10.5055/jem.2013.0129 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 73 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jonas Nguh, PhD, MSN, MHSA, RN

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Emergency Preparedness ◽

Survey Method ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Departments ◽

Local Health Departments ◽

It Infrastructure ◽

Management Framework ◽

And Performance ◽

Strategic Management Framework

Ever since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the federal government has increased funding for emergency preparedness. However, the literature continues to document several areas of weaknesses in public health emergency management by local health departments (LHD). This lack of preparedness affects the entire public. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not Maryland LHDs have effectively put in place the information technology (IT) that is relevant for emergency preparedness. Base Firm-wide IT Infrastructure Services and the Feeny/Willcocks Framework for Core IS Capabilities are the two conceptual frameworks used in this study. This qualitative study used the survey method and the data were analyzed through content analysis. The results revealed that utilization, practice, and performance of IT by Maryland LHDs are not efficient or effective. Recommendations included the development of “best practices,” increased funding for IT infrastructure and the establishment of strategic management framework for IT initiatives. Implications for positive social change include the development of recommendations to enhance emergency preparedness practice, and advancement of knowledge so as to facilitate the functions, and duties of health departments in emergency preparedness operations.

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