Mobilizing Collaborative Partners
To develop a disaster recovery plan, it is important to mobilize partners who will collaborate for the purpose of establishing the best scenario possible. After involving a multidisciplinary team, the training on disaster recovery best practices will be implemented, keeping everyone up-to-date during weekly meetings. Practitioners and researchers are welcome to share knowledge and implement regular assessments of community barriers in disaster recovery.
Assessing Community Needs
The Vila Health community has significant limitations as it has many elderly patients with complex health conditions, with shelters for the homeless running at capacity. As there are issues with technologies getting outdated and there were previous instances of the community being unprepared for an emergency, it is imperative to implement training, education, and planning is needed to address community needs.
Community Demographics
- The population of 8,295 people based on the 2010 census;
- Median age of 43.6 years, largest group (24.9%) – 46-64 years old;
- The largest majority (93%) of the population is white;
- 204 elderly individuals with complex health conditions;
- 147 physically disabled or use lip-reading or ASL to communicate.
The demographics of the population show that the community is highly subjected to vulnerabilities due to health disadvantages, socioeconomic limitations, and a language barrier.
Triage Classification for the Likely Injured
In the instance of the train derailment, the community where it occurred experienced increased vulnerability. Using the triage system, the community can be differentiated into sections based on their health risks and the need for an immediate response.
Contact Tracing of the Homeless, Disabled, Displaced
The homeless, disabled, and displaced populations must be categorized as “high risk.” The community should establish an outreach team responsible for the care of the population.
Reducing Health Disparities
To reduce health disparities within the community, there must be relief considerations in place to strengthen the capacity to be prepared for emergencies. It is essential to facilitate collaboration between social services and local community leaders and establish a community emergency response team.
Healthy People 2020 and 2030
- Attain a healthy population free of disease, disability, and injury;
- Eliminate health disparities and achieve equity;
- Improve the health literacy of the community;
- Create favorable environments conducive to health and well-being (Healthy People, 2020);
- Promote healthy behaviors within the community;
- Establish leadership responsible for acting in important policies.
In line with the Healthy People 2020 and 2030 objectives, it is necessary to eliminate health disparities and achieve equity while also improving the health literacy of the community. The community should promote healthy behaviors and establish leadership responsible for acting in important policies.
Tracking and Trace-Mapping Community Progress
Community progress post-emergency will be tracked through a web-based resource that can provide useful and validated metrics to measure the process over time. By having focus areas, recovery actors will set a list of prioritized processes for effective recovery and develop a detailed community fact base.
Determinants of Health
The determinants of health currently limit the capacity of the community to address emergencies. Ranging from lacking resources to financial limitations, the community cannot exercise stability to address the needs of the homeless and elderly.
Improving Access to Community Services
Since the community has struggled with having equal access to healthcare services, it is imperative to call for the financial support of local and state municipalities. Establishing the principles of social justice for vulnerable communities is necessary to promote volunteering and encourage mutual support between its members. During emergencies, such support is imperative to ensure that people support each other.
Impact of Health and Governmental Policies
Public health and governmental policies should be put in place to provide the community with the leverage and capacity to address emergencies. Through preparation, diverse stakeholders and partners will coordinate their actions and develop and implement capability-based plans. Importantly, policies must be conducive to emergency response mechanisms so that the implemented strategies align with community needs, expectations, and resources.
Overcoming Communication Barriers and Improving Interprofessional Collaboration
To overcome communication barriers and improve interprofessional collaboration, it is imperative to increase flexibility and transparency in disaster management supply chains while also expanding public-private partnership opportunities. Interprofessional collaboration can help identify community risks of different natures.
References
Crizzle, A. M., Dykeman, C., Laberge, S., MacLeod, A., Olsen-Lynch, E., Brunet, F., & Andrews, A. (2019). A public health approach to mobilizing community partners for injury prevention: A scoping review. PloS one, 14(1), e0210734. Web.
Disaster recovery tracking tool. (n.d.). Web.
Edgington, S. (2019). Disaster planning for people experiencing homelessness. Web.
Foard, C., & Bryant, M. (2021). How government can address growing disaster costs. Web.
Habitat for Humanity. (2021). Our mission, vision and principles. Web.
Healthy People. (2020). Preparedness. Web.
How housing affects health: Healthy housing helps families thrive. (2021). Web.