RESUMO
A national need is to prepare for and respond to accidental or intentional disasters categorized as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE). These incidents require specific subject-matter expertise, yet have commonalities. We identify 7 core elements comprising CBRNE science that require integration for effective preparedness planning and public health and medical response and recovery. These core elements are (1) basic and clinical sciences, (2) modeling and systems management, (3) planning, (4) response and incident management, (5) recovery and resilience, (6) lessons learned, and (7) continuous improvement. A key feature is the ability of relevant subject matter experts to integrate information into response operations. We propose the CBRNE medical operations science support expert as a professional who (1) understands that CBRNE incidents require an integrated systems approach, (2) understands the key functions and contributions of CBRNE science practitioners, (3) helps direct strategic and tactical CBRNE planning and responses through first-hand experience, and (4) provides advice to senior decision-makers managing response activities. Recognition of both CBRNE science as a distinct competency and the establishment of the CBRNE medical operations science support expert informs the public of the enormous progress made, broadcasts opportunities for new talent, and enhances the sophistication and analytic expertise of senior managers planning for and responding to CBRNE incidents.
Assuntos
Derramamento de Material Biológico/prevenção & controle , Vazamento de Resíduos Químicos/prevenção & controle , Serviços Médicos de Emergência/métodos , Substâncias Explosivas/efeitos adversos , Liberação Nociva de Radioativos/prevenção & controle , Planejamento em Desastres/organização & administração , Planejamento em Desastres/tendências , Serviços Médicos de Emergência/tendências , HumanosRESUMO
Concerns about the potential long-term mental health needs created by the Pentagon attack on September 11, 2001 and subsequent events raised concerns about the local system's capacity to respond. These concerns led to the establishment of the Mental Health Community Response Coalition, which has met regularly since September 23. The primary purpose of the Mental Health Community Response Coalition has been to provide vital opportunities for networking and information exchange between military service providers, the American Red Cross, local mental health agencies, and others. Prevention of duplication and overlap of services among different agencies has also been an important focus of the group. This paper outlines the structure of the coalition and lessons learned for the development of a coordinated mental health effort in response to a community crisis.
Assuntos
Serviços Comunitários de Saúde Mental/organização & administração , Planejamento em Desastres/organização & administração , Coalizão em Cuidados de Saúde/organização & administração , Terrorismo/psicologia , Intervenção em Crise/organização & administração , District of Columbia , Órgãos Governamentais/organização & administração , Humanos , Medicina Militar/organização & administração , Cruz Vermelha/organização & administração , VirginiaRESUMO
The close interplay between mental health and physical health makes it critical to integrate mental and behavioral health considerations into all aspects of public health and medical disaster management. Therefore, the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) convened the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee to assess the progress of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in integrating mental and behavioral health into disaster and emergency preparedness and response activities. One vital opportunity to improve integration is the development of clear and directive national policy to firmly establish the role of mental and behavioral health as part of a unified public health and medical response to disasters. Integration of mental and behavioral health into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery requires it to be incorporated in assessments and services, addressed in education and training, and founded on and advanced through research. Integration must be supported in underlying policies and administration with clear lines of responsibility for formulating and implementing policy and practice.
Assuntos
Medicina do Comportamento/métodos , Planejamento em Desastres/métodos , Desastres , Saúde Mental , Socorro em Desastres , Estresse Psicológico/complicações , Adaptação Psicológica , Medicina do Comportamento/organização & administração , Atenção à Saúde/organização & administração , Prestação Integrada de Cuidados de Saúde , Medicina de Desastres , Planejamento em Desastres/organização & administração , Política de Saúde , Humanos , Saúde Pública , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Estados Unidos , United States Government AgenciesRESUMO
In substantial numbers of affected populations, disasters adversely affect well-being and influence the development of emotional problems and dysfunctional behaviors. Nowhere is the integration of mental and behavioral health into broader public health and medical preparedness and response activities more crucial than in disasters such as the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The National Biodefense Science Board, recognizing that the mental and behavioral health responses to H1N1 were vital to preserving safety and health for the country, requested that the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee recommend actions for public health officials to prevent and mitigate adverse behavioral health outcomes during the H1N1 pandemic. The subcommittee's recommendations emphasized vulnerable populations and concentrated on interventions, education and training, and communication and messaging. The subcommittee's H1N1 activities and recommendations provide an approach and template for identifying and addressing future efforts related to newly emerging public health and medical emergencies. The many emotional and behavioral health implications of the crisis and the importance of psychological factors in determining the behavior of members of the public argue for a programmatic integration of behavioral health and science expertise in a comprehensive public health response.
Assuntos
Medicina do Comportamento/métodos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Influenza Humana/prevenção & controle , Saúde Mental , Pandemias/prevenção & controle , Saúde Pública/métodos , Medicina do Comportamento/organização & administração , Comunicação , Comportamento do Consumidor , Prestação Integrada de Cuidados de Saúde/métodos , Prestação Integrada de Cuidados de Saúde/organização & administração , Medicina de Desastres , Planejamento em Desastres/métodos , Planejamento em Desastres/organização & administração , Saúde Global , Educação em Saúde , Planejamento em Saúde , Política de Saúde , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Influenza Humana/epidemiologia , Influenza Humana/psicologia , Socorro em DesastresRESUMO
This article summarizes major points from a newly released guide published online by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The article reviews basic principles about radiation and its measurement, short-term and long-term effects of radiation, and medical countermeasures as well as essential information about how to prepare for and respond to a nuclear detonation. A link is provided to the manual itself, which in turn is heavily referenced for readers who wish to have more detail.
Assuntos
Comunicação , Planejamento em Desastres , Guerra Nuclear , Vigilância da População , Lesões por Radiação/terapia , Defesa Civil/educação , Abrigo de Emergência , Humanos , Agências Internacionais , Lesões por Radiação/diagnóstico , Radiometria , Transporte de Pacientes , Triagem , Estados UnidosRESUMO
A nuclear detonation in a US city would have profound psychological, social, and behavioral effects. This article reviews the scientific literature on human responses to radiation incidents and disasters in general, and examines potential behavioral health care provider (BHCP) contributions in the hours and days after a nuclear detonation. In the area directly affected by the blast, the immediate overarching goal of BHCP interventions is the support of lifesaving activities and the prevention of additional casualties from fallout. These interventions include 6 broad categories: promoting appropriate protective actions, discouraging dangerous behaviors, managing patient/survivor flow to facilitate the best use of scarce resources, supporting first responders, assisting with triage, and delivering palliative care when appropriate. At more distant sites, BHCP should work with medical providers to support hospitalized survivors of the detonation. Recommendations are also made on BHCP interventions later in the response phase and during recovery.
Assuntos
Medicina do Comportamento , Atenção à Saúde , Planejamento em Saúde , Comportamento de Massa , Armas Nucleares , Liberação Nociva de Radioativos/psicologia , Cidades , Desastres , Medo , Humanos , Incidentes com Feridos em Massa , Serviços de Saúde Mental/organização & administração , Cuidados Paliativos , Papel Profissional , Cinza Radioativa , Condições Sociais , Terrorismo , Triagem , Estados UnidosAssuntos
Planejamento em Desastres , Incidentes com Feridos em Massa , Armas Nucleares , Liberação Nociva de Radioativos , Defesa Civil , Serviços Médicos de Emergência/organização & administração , Humanos , Modelos Teóricos , Lesões por Radiação , Alocação de Recursos/ética , Terrorismo , Triagem , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Public policy can be a powerful tool for children and their families. Accordingly, this article addresses how psychologists and other child-oriented researchers can leverage this tool to ensure that child and family issues, specifically issues related to child abuse and neglect, receive adequate attention. We encourage a bidirectional relationship between policymakers and experts in child maltreatment through which policymakers solicit and employ relevant expertise, and psychologists, in turn, provide useful information to policymakers. To facilitate such relationships, this article offers practical guidance to psychologists on understanding the policymaking process, gaining familiarity with relevant policy, communicating effectively with policymakers, and understanding the unique contributions that psychologists can make to the policy process.