Citation

Malilay J, Heumann M, Perrotta D, Wolkin AF, Schnall AH, Podgornik MN, Cruz MA, Horney JA, Zane DF, Roisman R, Greenspan JR, Thoroughman D, Anderson HA, Wells EV, Simms EF. Am. J. Public Health 2014; 104(11): 2092-2102.

Affiliation

Josephine Malilay, Amy F. Wolkin, Amy H. Schnall, Michelle N. Podgornik, and Miguel A. Cruz are with the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Michael Heumann is with HeumannHealth Consulting, Portland, OR. Dennis Perrotta and Erin F. Simms are with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, GA. At the time of the writing, Jennifer A. Horney was with the University of North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David Zane is with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin. Rachel Roisman is with the California Department of Public Health, Richmond. Joel R. Greenspan is with Martin-Blanck and Associates, Alexandria, VA. Doug Thoroughman is with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort. Henry A. Anderson is with the Office of the State Health Officer/Chief Medical Officer, Madison, WI. Eden V. Wells is with Clinical Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Residency, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2014.302010

PMID

25211748

Abstract

Disaster epidemiology (i.e., applied epidemiology in disaster settings) presents a source of reliable and actionable information for decision-makers and stakeholders in the disaster management cycle. However, epidemiological methods have yet to be routinely integrated into disaster response and fully communicated to response leaders. We present a framework consisting of rapid needs assessments, health surveillance, tracking and registries, and epidemiological investigations, including risk factor and health outcome studies and evaluation of interventions, which can be practiced throughout the cycle. Applying each method can result in actionable information for planners and decision-makers responsible for preparedness, response, and recovery. Disaster epidemiology, once integrated into the disaster management cycle, can provide the evidence base to inform and enhance response capability within the public health infrastructure. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print September 11, 2014: e1-e11. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302010).

Language: en