Order code: SP 575

This publication outlines the health sector's role in reducing the impact of disasters, laying out a framework that an administrator can rely on to make effective decisions in managing the health sector's activities to reduce the consequences of disasters. It describes the overall effects of disasters on health, highlighting myths and realities, and summarizes how the health sector must organize itself to cope with disasters.

The book emphasizes the multisectoral nature of disaster preparedness and sets forth guidelines for preparing health sector disaster plans, means of coordination, and special technical programs before a disaster hits. The book also includes ground-breaking information on the management of supplies in a disaster.

The book is primarily aimed at health sector professionals who participate in disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation. Disaster management has become such an intersectoral enterprise, however, that anyone interested in disaster mitigation will find here a useful primer. Public health students and professors also can rely on this book in formal and informal courses.

Reviews

Author: The Australian Journal of Emergency Management
“In addition to being a good resource to public health personnel, it also provides a good insight into public health issues for other disaster agencies and organization.”

Author: David Prichard, PhD(University of New England). Doody Reviews
" . . . very well written, clearly presented, and well documented—an excellent addition to the literature on natural disasters and a must have resource for individuals involved in disaster preparedness. I highly recommend it."
FIVE STARS

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Find out in which language(s) these books have been or are being translated:

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Preface

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1. General Effects of Disasters on Health

Health Problems Common to All Natural Disasters

Immediate Health Problems Related to the Type of Disaster

Myths and Realities of Natural Disasters

Chapter 2. Structuring Health Disaster Management

National Disaster Management Agencies

National Health Disaster Management Program

Health Disaster Coordinator

Assessing Risk

Training

Evaluation of the Health Disaster Management Program

Chapter 3. Disaster Preparedness

Preparedness in the Health Sector

Risk Analysis and Development of Realistic Scenarios

Health Policy and Legislation on Disasters

Preparation of Disaster Plans

Coordination Mechanisms

Relations with the Media

Technical Health Programs

Chapter 4. Disaster Mitigation in the Health Sector

Health Sector Disaster Mitigation Programs

Vulnerability Analysis in Health Facilities

Disaster Mitigation in Health Facilities

Disaster Mitigation in Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage Systems

Chapter 5. Coordination of Disaster Response Activities and Assessment of Health Needs

National Emergency Committee

Health Emergency Committee

Assessment of Needs

Methods of Gathering Information after Hazard Impact

Chapter 6. Mass Casualty Management

Prehospital Emergency Care

Hospital Reception and Treatment

Redistribution of Patients between Hospitals

Chapter 7. Epidemiologic Surveillance and Disease Control

Risk of Outbreaks Following Disasters

Setting Up a Disease Surveillance System

Presentation and Interpretation of Collected Data

Laboratory Services

Vaccination and Vaccination Programs

Transmission of Zoonoses

Chapter 8. Environmental Health Management

Priority Areas for Intervention

Water Supply

Food Safety

Basic Sanitation and Personal Hygiene

Solid Waste Management

Vector Control

Burial of the Dead

Public Information and the Media

Chapter 9. Food and Nutrition

Expected Consequences of Disasters on the Food Chain

Possible Adverse Effects of Large-Scale Food Distribution

Setting Priorities

Immediate Relief

Estimating Food Requirements

Procurement

Surveillance

Chapter 10. Planning, Layout, and Management of Temporary Settlements and Camps

Planning Settlements and Camps

Setting Up Camps and Settlements

Site Selection

Camp Layout

Camp Services

Chapter 11. Communications and Transport

Telecommunication

Transportation

Chapter 12. Managing Humanitarian Relief Supplies

Basic Principles

The Logistical Supply Chain

Supply Management

List of Essential Drugs

Requesting International Assistance

Chapter 13. International Humanitarian Assistance

Humanitarian Agencies

The Armed Forces

Obtaining International Disaster Relief

Coordinating International Humanitarian Assistance

Chapter 14. Reestablishing Normal Health Programs

Long-Term Health Effects Caused by Disasters

Reestablishing Normal Health Services

Assessment, Repair, and Reconstruction of Damaged Facilities and Lifelines

Annex I. Implementing a National Disaster Mitigation Program for Hospitals

Annex II. SUMA—A Humanitarian Supply Management System

Annex III. International Health Humanitarian Assistance

Annex IV. External Agencies Providing Health Humanitarian Assistance

Selected Bibliography and On-line Information Sources