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

Abstract #118207

Randolph Rowel, PhD¹, Nicole Brown, MPH¹, Myrtle Evans-Holland¹, and Jamaal A. Russell, MPH, MT². (1) Public Health Program, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Coldspring Lane, 343 Jenkins Building, Baltimore, MD 21251, 443-885-3138, rrowel@jewel.morgan.edu, (2) Morgan State University Public Health Program, 1700 E. Coldspring La., Baltimore, MD 21251

As a result of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, priorities in public health have changed dramatically. This attack come shortly after the release of the Institute of Medicine's health disparity report which provided empirical evidence that race/ethnicity was a factor in determining whether one receives quality health care in this nation. The priorities quickly shifted from the needs of underserved populations to “homeland security.” At this time Morgan State University (a Historically Black College and University) initiated steps to organize a public health emergency preparedness research agenda. Implemented through its Public Health Program, the primary focus of this initiative was to examine the cultural competence issues across prevention, preparedness, recovery, and rehabilitation domains of bioterrorism and other disaster planning activities.

Since February 2002, Morgan's Public Health Program had representation on the state's Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Advisory to ensure the concerns of African Americans and other racial/ethnic minority groups are heard. Consequently, Morgan formed partnerships with state and local private and public sector groups, presented at conferences and a forum sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, organized a Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Work Group and developed two graduate level courses within our program. In addition, the Public Health Program conducted an exhaustive literature review regarding public health disaster/emergency issues affecting racial/ethnic minorities and co-sponsored seminars and a state-wide symposium entitled, “Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Why Culture Matters.” Because of our persistence to be involved in planning activities, the concerns of racial/ethnic minorities and other vulnerable populations are being heard and addressed at local and state levels. The Public Health Program has documented this experience which includes how we managed to get at the table, gaps and deficiencies identified as result of being at the table, and overall lessons learned.

Learning Objectives:

•  Describe the public health framework for public health emergency planning activities at state and local levels;
•  Describe how the National Response Plan impacts public health emergency preparedness;
•  Describe key literature review findings regarding racial/ethnic minorities and disaster/emergency prevention, preparedness, recovery, and rehabilitation.
•  Discuss strategies for soliciting the involvement of African Americans and lessons learned; and
•  Identify unmet needs in disaster/emergency preparedness as it relates to racial/ethnic minority populations and other vulnerable populations.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Cultural Competency

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.

Recorded presentation