Oral

Public health planning and response to disasters and violent events pose unique challenges. While events may appear to be unpredictable, their impact often follows predictable patterns, and the effect on the community can be moderated with adequate preparation and intervention. The speakers in this session will focus on policy and environmental strategies that are needed in order to ensure that planning for and responding to disasters and violence take critical factors such as community norms, culture, socioeconomic status, and vulnerabilities into account. Specifically, the session will introduce the epidemiology of disasters and violence, with a focus on recent events; substance abuse and mental health issues as contributing factors and factors that affect recovery; interpersonal violence, with an emphasis on multi-victim events and community response; trauma system preparedness and response; and disparities in access to prevention and intervention services.

Session Objectives: Describe at least 2 policy initiatives that will aid in ensuring access to prevention and intervention services; Discuss the role of policy strategies in mitigating the impact of violence and/or disasters.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing