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Preparedness and Health Equity

In an emergency, some populations are more vulnerable to loss or injury than others. Disability, chronic disease, language barriers, and low income can all affect how people weather a disaster or other event.

Making health equity a part of preparedness planning can help state and territorial health agencies serve all segments of the public effectively in an emergency. By working with organizations that serve individuals with diverse needs, health agencies can avoid preventable problems and help ensure that response and recovery efforts meet the needs of everyone in their jurisdictions.

SUCCESS STORIES 

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: ASTHO worked with the affected states and federal government agencies to address health impacts from the gulf oil spill, including the health of vulnerable populations. ASTHO provided federal updates through its State Public Health Weekly on topics including food safety, air quality/respiratory health, safe drinking water, and recreational water.

Haiti Earthquake Response: ASTHO created a page on the member’s only site to the Haitian response efforts and posted key documents, such as Florida’s CONOPs and benefit eligibility determination matrix. Florida and South Carolina’s response to the Haitian earthquake was shared on a monthly Directors of Public Health Preparedness conference call. Both states dealt with the repatriation of Haitian Americans, mechanisms for on-the-ground patient transport and triage, and legal and reimbursement issues related to humanitarian parole status.

H1N1 Pandemic Response: ASTHO disseminated critical information to members though the duration of the pandemic by sending comprehensive daily updates, fielding technical assistance questions, and maintaining two web pages devoted to H1N1, which serve as a unique clearinghouse of information relevant to state and territorial health agencies.  

• Colorado 
• Georgia 
• Kansas 
• Kentucky 
• Tennessee 

Collaborating with Community Health Centers: This report outlines the work of the Task Force on Health Agency-Community Health Center Coordination in Preparedness, the roles and responsibilities of each partner in emergency responses, and provides recommendations for and examples of effective collaboration among the partners.

Culturally-Specific Populations Emergency Communications Project Summary: This resource provides a summary of a pilot project implemented in Multnomah County, Oregon, to improve community health and preparedness through culturally competent risk communication and partnerships with CBOs and FBOs.

Korean Fire Evacuees Turn to Churches: This article discusses the role of churches and local businesses in serving the Korean community following the 2007 Southern California wildfires.

Red Cross Bolstering Minority Outreach - Recruitment a Priority After Storms Expose Sensitivity Gaps: This article discusses the efforts of the American Red Cross to partner with FBOs serving diverse communities following Hurricane Katrina.

FEMA - Reaching Washington State’s Diverse Communities: This press release describes FEMA’s efforts to partner with FBOs to inform Washington State’s culturally diverse communities about recovery aid available to those affected by the January 2009 winter storms.

Vietnamese Fishermen in Gulf Fight to Not Get Lost in Translation: This CNN story discusses the integral role of FBOs as service providers, community advocates, and liaisons to Vietnamese fishermen who had been affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill.

RESOURCES 

The ASTHO At-Risk Population Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal and Local Health Departments provides information and recommendations for health departments to include the needs of all residents in emergency preparedness planning. 

Fact Sheet: At Risk Individuals, Behavioral Health, and Human Services Coordination 

PARTNERS 

• National Consensus Panel on Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Diversity 
• National Association of City and County Health Officials 

TOOLKITS 

•  ASTHO At-Risk Populations Guidance Document 
• ASTHO's Toolkit for Addressing At-Risk Populations in SNS Planning 
• HHS/ASPR At Risk Individuals, Behavioral Health, and Human Services Coordination 
• FEMA resource for Youth Preparedness, the Catalogue of Youth Disaster Preparedness Education Resources created to assist individuals and organizations with locating preparedness resources that are tailored to children and youth. 
• National Commission on Children and Disasters 2010 Report to the President and Congress  
• FEMA Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters 
• Faith-Based & Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist: This checklist provides guidance for religious and community organizations in developing and improving influenza pandemic response and preparedness plans.  The checklist is available in both English and Spanish. 
• Guidance for Risk Communicators in Collaborating with Faith- Based African American Communities for Pandemic Flu Preparedness: This series of videos from the Southern Center for Communication, Health & Poverty provides expertise from those conducting public information/risk communication activities with African American faith-based communities. 
• H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations: This document provides H1N1 guidance for CBOs and FBOs and information about community engagement, vaccine distribution, communication, vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, mental health, childcare, and work environments. 
• Strategies for Improving Influenza Immunization Rates among Hard-To-Reach Populations: This article discusses how influenza pandemic planning should include community engagement and extension of strategies beyond traditional providers to involve FBOs and CBOs serving hard-to-reach populations.