233446 Advancing Social Justice and Health Equity in Preparedness by Engaging Racially and Ethnically Diverse Communities

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 10:55 AM - 11:15 AM

Dennis P. Andrulis, PhD, MPH , Texas Health Institute, Austin, TX
In recognition of the pervasive health inequities and social injustices faced by racially and ethnically diverse communities, prior to, during and after Hurricane Katrina, the HHS Office of Minority Health supported the creation of a 34-member National Consensus Panel on Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Diversity to develop guidance on priorities and actions for integrating these populations in preparedness planning and response. The work of the Panel has yielded a national and cohesive blueprint for this objective, which includes a consensus statement, eight guiding principles and action steps for operationalizing them. Core and central to this guidance, is the engagement and involvement of communities to ensure plans and procedures are reflective of distinct community characteristics such as race, culture and language as well as broader social and economic needs. The Presenter will discuss the vision, efforts and specific guidance of the Panel in context of its importance and relevance to achieving health equity and social justice in public health preparedness.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the goals and objectives of the National Consensus Panel on Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Diversity in advancing health equity and social justice in preparedness. 2. List key consensus-based priorities, strategies and actions for engaging diverse populations across the continuum of prevention, preparedness and response.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was a member of the HHS National Consensus Panel on Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Diversity and worked to develop guidance on priorities and actions for integrating these populations in preparedness planning and response.
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.