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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Sinan Khan, MPH¹, Sharon F. Grigsby, MBA², Phillip Moore, MPA², Dee Ann Bagwell, MA, MPH², Glen Tao, PharmD¹, Stephanie Faren, RN, MSN, MPH¹, Michael Melton, MPA¹, Marcia Liem-McFadden, RN, BSN¹, Adam Morrow, MPH¹, and Raquel Fernandez, RN, BSN¹. (1) Department of Health Services, County of Los Angeles, 241 N. Figueroa Street, Room 210, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (562) 944-6734, sikhan@ladhs.org, (2) Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, 241 N. Figueroa Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Los Angeles County (LAC) has a population of more than 10 million dispersed over 88 cities and 4,000 square miles. As such, developing countywide disaster plans entails extensive collaboration. The LAC Strategic National Stockpile Plan describes the distribution of lifesaving critical medicines and medical supplies in a public health emergency at community sites called ‘Points of Dispensing' (PODs). Analysis using the geographic information system (GIS) software ArcGIS was used to determine how well the sites would mesh into a comprehensive, functionally viable countywide network.

GIS was used to assess whether PODs were well-matched to the county's population centers, healthcare and law-enforcement facilities, transportation hubs, and other factors. This was accomplished by mapping POD sites, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, fire stations, and public transportation routes with an overlay of population density. Hazards such as industrial sites and high profile targets were also mapped. Distances between the sites and assets or hazards were calculated and captured graphically.

Our analysis identified several potential complications – large areas where there were too few POD, areas where there were too many, and sites which had significant drawbacks relating to security, hazards, and accessibility. The analysis revealed many opportunities for improvement and as a result, GIS has now become a pivotal tool in the County's planning process. This session will discuss in much greater detail how the County has designed and updated its GIS analysis systems, and how these systems have improved the County's ability to plan and conduct effective large-scale disaster response.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of geographic information systems as an effective tool in Public Health for disaster preparedness.
• List at least five factors that should be considered to evaluate ‘Points of Dispensing’.
• Analyzing geospatial data with Public Health – Disaster Preparedness Implications.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation