205140 Special Health Needs of People with Disabilities, Especially Those Who Are Potential Victims of National, State or Community Emergencies or Catastrophes

Monday, November 9, 2009: 12:30 PM

Michael Marge, EdD , US Department Health and Human Services, Office on Disability, Washington, DC
Children and adults with disabilities have a range of specific health needs that are different when compared to individuals without disabling conditions. It is important to understand that these differences require special resources and attention during a national, state or community catastrophe where people with disabilities are potential victims.

Information-sharing during emergencies and disasters, particularly for persons with special needs is essential to ensure they receive effective, coordinated, and quality health and human service care. It is, therefore, extremely important for health information technology to be incorporated into all emergency planning and response activities.

Learning Objectives:
Learning Objective 1: Describe specific and special health needs of people with disabilities as compared with those without disabling conditions. Learning Objective 2: Discuss the impact of catastrophes on the health status of persons with disabilities with actual illustrations that occurred during recent events. Learning Objective 3: Discuss the reasons for lack of prompt and effective services when persons with disabilities become victims during such catastrophes.

Keywords: Health Information Systems, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Michael Marge is the Deputy Director of the Office on Disability at the US Department of Health and Human Services. In this capacity, he provides executive leadership working on various national issues, programs, and policies impacting people with disabilities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Addressing Electronic Health Information Technology for People With Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery
See more of: Health Informatics Information Technology