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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Daksha Brahmbhatt, RN , MPH¹, Hani Mowafi, MD², Edbert Hsu, MD, MPH¹, and Jennifer Chan, MD, MPH². (1) International Health, Johns Hopkins School Of Public Health, 600 North Wolfe street, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410 318 6606, dbrahmbh@jhsph.edu, (2) Harvard University School of Public Health, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02115

Introduction In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast with resultant catastrophic damage and major displacements. In response, the American Red Cross (ARC) undertook the largest shelter operations in the organization's history. An assessment of shelter healthcare providers was conducted in Texas following the hurricanes to determine ,the level of public health training and awareness. Methods A collaborative partnership with ARC, Johns Hopkins and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative was formed. Team members traveled to five ARC regional branches in Texas. A 36 question survey was developed to assess staff composition and level of public health training and awareness among shelter healthcare providers using convenience sampling. Results 43 ARC shelters with 20 to 3,500 evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were included. 82% of the shelters had RNs; 80% had EMTs; and 60% had MDs as healthcare providers. Of the 102 respondents, 75% of shelter healthcare providers reported of prior shelter training; one-third described some type of prior public health training. 56% felt that additional public health training would have been helpful in management of shelter population. All shelter healthcare providers surveyed felt that a brief public health orientation session and availability of immediate public health consultation would be invaluable. Conclusion On completion of this session, the audience will recognize the importance of public health awareness and training for healthcare providers serving in shelter operations and will be able to identify the types of additional educational interventions that should be offered to shelter staff in these roles.

Learning Objectives:

• On completion of this session, the audience will recognize the importance of public health awareness and training for healthcare providers serving in shelter operations and will be able to identify the types of additional educational interventions that should be offered to shelter staff in these roles.

Keywords: Disasters, Health Workers Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation