Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nancy VanDevanter, DrPH, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St Rm1112, New York, NY 10032, 212-305-1166, nlv1@columbia.edu and Perri Leviss, MPM, Consultant, 7 Maxfield Ct, Barrington, RI 02806.

Background: In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, an oral history was conducted with leadership and staff of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to document the public health role in the disaster.

Methods: A sample of 40 leaders and staff agreed to be interviewed several months post disaster. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and entered into Atlas ti software. Coding and thematic analysis of data was conducted by 2 independent coders (kappa .85).

Results: Data revealed several unanticipated functions for the department, facilitators and barriers to optimal response. Lessons for improving public health systems response included the importance of regular, clear communication with the public even when information is uncertain, the value of working in collaboration with the community in planning for disaster response, the importance of cross-training staff, the importance of information technology to disaster management.

Conclusions: The study reveals an evolving role for public health in the organization and function of public health systems in disaster management. Oral history provides a valuable tool for public health systems researchers that can be applied to the study of other emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina. Through the collection of first hand accounts of events it is possible to explore the meaning and relationship of complex factors and processes, as they relate to the function of public health emergency response.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe facilitators and barriers to optimal public health response to 9/11.
• Participants will be able to describe the evolving role of public health in disaster manangement.
• Participants will be able to describe oral history methods and the value of oral history as a tool for public health systems research.

Keywords: Disasters, Public Health Infrastructure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered