Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117196

Peter J. Lee, MPH¹, Shunling Tsang, MPH¹, Catherine W. Gribbin, MPH¹, Lucia C. McLendon, MPH¹, and Theresa J. McCann, MPH, PhD². (1) School of Medicine, St. George's University, PO Box 7, St. George's, Grenada, 473-417-4239, leepe2@sgu.edu, (2) School of Medicine, Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, St. George's University, P.O. Box 7, University Centre, St. George's, Grenada

Introduction: Following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada, a group of St. George's University faculty, students and community leaders came together in an effort to provide post-disaster relief. This group became officially recognized as the non-governmental organization - Grenada Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction (GR3). GR3 works with integrity to promote partnership and volunteerism to achieve sustainable community development. In an effort to provide evidence to support post-disaster community-based health initiatives within Grenada and the larger Caribbean community, this paper will examine the processes by which GR3 responded to the needs of the underserved.

Methods: An outline of our processes will provide the reader with the rationale behind our decision making for the development and implementation of post-disaster community-based health initiatives. We will also examine outcomes from various projects.

Results: Persuasive arguments will be presented in support of our implementation decisions. The outcomes of our projects will enable us to make recommendations regarding the practical application of our model in other post-disaster Caribbean settings.

Discussion: Recommendations will be made for possible adaptation and application of our experiences in the creation of a non-governmental organizations focused on implementing post-disaster community based health initiatives in other Caribbean states. We will also use evidence from our experiences to strengthen the argument that involving the community in all aspects is essential for creating sustainable long term health initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

• List 3 reasons supporting the need for community based health initiatives in post-disaster environments
• Assess the practical application of GR3’s model in future post-disaster Caribbean settings

Keywords: Disasters, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.