Citation

Safran MA, Chorba T, Schreiber M, Archer WR, Cookson ST. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2011; 5(2): 154-157.

Affiliation

Dr Safran, a US Public Health Service physician with the CDC, was the mental and behavioral health lead for CDC's Haiti earthquake mission; Dr Chorba is associate director for science, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC; Dr Schreiber is a Disaster Mental Health Volunteer, American Red Cross; Dr Archer is epidemic intelligence service officer, CDC; and Dr Cookson was the chief health officer for CDC's Haiti earthquake mission.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1001/dmp.2011.31

PMID

21444734

Abstract

Mental health is an important aspect of public health after a disaster. This article describes what is known and what remains to be learned regarding the mental health impact of the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti. Public health surveillance efforts in Haiti and the United States in the first 2 months after the earthquake are described. Challenges in clinical assessment and public health surveillance are explored. Potential implications for survivors and public health officials are considered.

Language: en