Assignment: Applied Epidemiology
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks created a grave disaster that included the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York. The day after 9/11, epidemiologists were asked to assess the environment around Ground Zero for potential hazards that might put those engaged in rescue and recovery at risk of harm. Beside the dust, what toxins might be in the air? Was the air quality safe or should rescue workers wear canister respirators or particle masks? What other protections might be necessary in the days following the disaster?
In this Discussion, you will look at the impact of a disaster through the lens of an epidemiologist, addressing such questions as, "What epidemiological considerations arise in the wake of a disaster? And, what makes disaster planning or emergency preparedness effective in terms of mitigating or preventing negative aftereffects?"
To prepare:
• Identify a disaster that led to a population health issue. Consider this disaster through the lens of an epidemiologist, using the information presented in the Learning Resources to examine the epidemiological considerations resulting from the disaster. Conduct additional research as necessary using the Walden Library and credible websites.
• Ask yourself, "What factors made the community's and/or nation's response effective or ineffective? What aspects of disaster planning or emergency preparedness did the community have in place that helped it cope with the disaster and resulting population health issue?"
• Post a cohesive scholarly response that addresses the following:
1) Identify the disaster and resulting population health issue.
2) Describe the epidemiological considerations resulting from this disaster. Support your response with specific examples and evidence from the literature.
3) Discuss the factors that made the community's and/or nation's response effective or ineffective.
• Required Readings
• Nash, D. B., Fabius, R. J., Skoufalos, A., Clarke, J. L. & Horowitz, M. R. (2016). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (2nd ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Chapter, "Risk Management and Law"
• This chapter discusses the role of the U.S. legal system to foster the health of populations with emphasis on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
• Chapter, "Making the Case for Population Health Management: The Business Value of Better Health"
• This chapter explores why good health is good business, the cost of good health and the potential provide to be realized when workforce health is improved.
• Chapter, "Policy Implications for Population Health: Health Promotion and Wellness"
• The chapter provides an overview of the intricacies of federal policy making and the key policy components necessary to advance the health of populations.
• Chapter, "The Political Landscape in Relation to the Health and Wealth of Nations"
• The chapter describes the relationship between national health and population health and the constitutional structures that influence health policy.
• Chapter, "The Future of Population Health at the Workplace: Moving Upstream"
• This chapter focuses on the future of population health in the workplace and the new knowledge that is driving future trends in population health.
• Admi, H., Eilon, Y., Hyams, G., & Utitz, L. (2011). Management of mass casualty events: The Israeli experience. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(2), 211-219.
• This article examines the Israeli model of emergency preparedness and management, including nurses' clinical and managerial involvement in mass casualty events.
• Beam, E. L., Boulter, K. C., Freihaut, F., Schwedhelm, S., & Smith, P. W. (2010). The Nebraska experience in biocontainment patient care. Public Health Nursing, 27(2), 140-147.
• Nurses are often on the front lines when emergencies happen. This article examines public health planning and management strategies for infectious disease outbreaks and bioterrorism attacks.
• Honoré, P. A., Wright, D., Berwick, D. M., Clancy, C. M., Lee, P., Nowinski, J., & Koh, H. K. (2011). Creating a framework for getting quality into the public health system. Health Affairs, 30(4), 737-745.
• In this article, the authors examine health care reform and the Affordable Care Act in light of public health's priorities of improving population health.
• Sprung, C. L., Cohen, R., & Adini, B. (2010). Chapter 1. Introduction. Recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster. Intensive Care Medicine, 36(Supplement 1), S4-S10.
• This reading describes the efforts put forth as a result of a task force established by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in December 2007. The chapter examines the purpose and development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to better address population needs during an infectious disease breakout or disaster.
• Richards, G. A., & Sprung, C. L. (2010). Chapter 9. Educational process. Recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster. Intensive Care Medicine, 36(Supplement 1), S70-S79.
• As noted in this chapter, planning and education are imperative to adequately prepare intensive care units (ICUs) and hospitals for an influenza pandemic or mass disaster. The authors provide standard operating procedures (SOPs) and recommendations.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2011).
• Explore the Federal Emergency Management Agency website, whose mission is to "support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards."
• Required Media
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Population health issues, part 1 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• In part 1 of this week's media, the presenters discuss how epidemiology can be utilized to improve population health.
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Population health issues, part 2 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.
• In part 2, Dr. Hull discusses lessons learned from global efforts to eradicate polio.