Public Health Practices

Houston, Texas, is susceptible to seasonal hurricanes and other disasters due to its proximity to the Gulf Coast. To address this vulnerability, city and school planners implemented a disaster preparedness curriculum in Houston schools. The curriculum used targeted information and homework assignments to train elementary school children to act as preparedness ambassadors to their families. Teachers implemented the program in 57 classrooms, and its messages reached just under 5,000 people.

Arizona state education and health officials collaborated with school districts and local health departments to develop an 8-week language arts and math curriculum for students in grades K-12 to use during prolonged school closures.

Employees with limited or no English skills who work with swine or birds in rural agricultural areas may have little knowledge about influenza if they lack access to in-language educational programs. The Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance developed a train-the-trainer program to address such a need. Training materials cover practical, basic knowledge about influenza detection, prevention, and control in people, birds, and swine.

Recent tragedies such as the Haiti earthquake, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and September 11th have demonstrated that minorities suffer disproportionately during all stages of a disaster. Acknowledging that culturally and linguistically competent care can help mitigate health disparities, the U.S.

Virginia and West Virginia partnered to offer a videoconference training on preparedness and response for at-risk populations.

The Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD) in Woodside, California, along with the Commission for Disabilities for San Mateo County and the San Mateo County Special Education Local Planning Agency (SELPA), developed an educational tool to teach responders simple methods for emergency communications with people who have disabilities and special needs. The program includes a video, written manual, communication booklet, and poster.

The Prepared Community Initiative is a training and technical assistance program for local Community Health Councils. The Initiative is intended to prepare Community Health Councils to be collaborative partners in health-related emergency preparedness and response, especially as it pertains to at-risk populations.

A Web-based course titled "Ready, Willing, & Able" provides training to public health, hospital, preparedness, emergency response and disaster relief personnel on working with disabled individuals during a disaster. The 2-hour course includes a pre-assessment, a 25-minute video, a 60-minute video, group exercises and discussion, and a post-assessment.

The California Department of Public Health has outlined a process for dealing with the complex issues of clinical care surge capacity during a public health emergency. The tools could serve as an educational model for other states that are attempting to address this challenging topic.