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Disaster Epidemiology

Methods and Applications

  • 1st Edition - October 31, 2017
  • Latest edition
  • Editor: Jennifer Horney
  • Language: English

Disaster Epidemiology: Methods and Applications applies the core methods of epidemiological research and practice to the assessment of the short- and long-term health effects o… Read more

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Description

Disaster Epidemiology: Methods and Applications applies the core methods of epidemiological research and practice to the assessment of the short- and long-term health effects of disasters. The persistent movement of people and economic development to regions vulnerable to natural disasters, as well as new vulnerabilities related to environmental, technological, and terrorism incidents, means that in spite of large global efforts to reduce the impacts and costs of disasters, average annual expenditures to fund rebuilding from catastrophic losses is rising faster than either population or the gross world product. Improving the resilience of individuals and communities to these natural and technological disasters, climate change, and other natural and manmade stressors is one of the grand challenges of the 21st century. This book provides a guide to disaster epidemiology methods, supported with applications from practice. It helps researchers, public health practitioners, and governmental policy makers to better quantify the impacts of disaster on the health of individuals and communities to enhance resilience to future disasters.

Disaster Epidemiology: Methods and Applications explains how public health surveillance, rapid assessments, and other epidemiologic studies can be conducted in the post-disaster setting to prevent injury, illness, or death; provide accurate and timely information for decisions makers; and improve prevention and mitigation strategies for future disasters. These methods can also be applied to the study of other types of public health emergencies, such as infectious outbreaks, emerging and re-emerging diseases, and refugee health. This book gives both the public health practitioner and researcher the tools they need to conduct epidemiological studies in a disaster setting and can be used as a reference or as part of a course.

Key features

  • Provides a holistic perspective to epidemiology with an integration of academic and practical approaches
  • Showcases the use of hands-on techniques and principles to solve real-world problems
  • Includes contributions from both established and emerging scholars in the field of disaster epidemiology

Readership

Students and researchers at Schools of Public Health; local, regional, state, and federal public health practitioners (epidemiology, laboratory, public health preparedness) and those working in global health and international disaster response (e.g. agencies such as CARE, Child Health, CRDF Global)

Table of contents

An Introduction to Disaster Epidemiology
Josephine Malilay and Jennifer A. Horney

1. History of Disaster Epidemiology: 1960-2015
Jennifer A. Horney

2. Methods: Surveillance
Kahler Stone
Vignettes: Veterans Health Affairs, Veterans, and Disasters
Tiffany Radcliff, Aram Dobalian and Karen Chu

3. Applications: Informatics: Using Information Systems to Improve Surveillance During Disasters
Laura Edison, Karl Soetebier and Hope Dishman

4. Applications: Shelter Surveillance
Rebecca Jean Heick
Post-Disaster Carbon Monoxide Surveillance
Kanta Sircar and Dorothty Stearns

5. Applications: Mortality Surveillance
Rebecca S. Noe

6. Study Designs in Disaster Epidemiology
Latasha Allen and Jennifer A. Horney

7. Applications: CASPER
Amy Helene Schnall, Amy Wolkin and Tesfaye Mekonnen Bayleyegn
Applications: ACE
Maureen F. Orr and Mary Anne Duncan
Vignettes from Recent Responses: California Geothermal Gas Vents
Svetlana Smorodinsky, Tracy Barreau and Jason Wilken
Vignettes from Recent Responses: California Drought
Jason Wilken, Svetlana Smorodinsky and Tracy Barreau

8. Methods: Questionnaire Development and Interviewing Techniques
Amy Helene Schnall, Amy Wolkin and Nicole Nakata
Vignettes from Recent Responses: Foodborne
Marilyn Felkner, Venessa Cantu and Kevin Mcclaran

9. Applications: Social Vulnerablity to Disaster (Hampton and Hertford Counties - Isabel)
Danielle Spurlock

10. Applications: Responder Safety
Renee Funk
Vignettes from Recent Responses: Pregnant Women and Ebola
Jonetta Johnson Mpofu and Michelle Dynes

11. Methods: Data Analysis
Ashley Conley

12. Applications: Bioterrorism, Biodefense, and Biotechnology
Koya Allen
Vignettes: Natural Disasters and Climate Change
Joel Casey Dietrich
Vignettes: Impacts on People with Pre-existing Chronic Medical Conditions
Pamela Allweiss

13. Applications: Disaster Communication and Community Engagement
Jennifer C. Beggs
Vignette from Recent Responses: Roseburg Oregon Mass Shooting
Akiko M. Saito

14. Discussion and Conclusion - What Disaster Epidemiology Can Contribute to Resilient Communities
Jennifer A. Horney
Appendix: Resources from Disaster Libraries
Suzanne Shurtz Clark

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: October 31, 2017
  • Language: English

About the editor

JH

Jennifer Horney

Jennifer Horney is a Professor and Founding Director of the Epidemiology Program and Core Faculty at the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on assessing the health impacts of disasters, including inequitable impacts among physically and socially vulnerable groups. She is currently a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Center for Preparedness and Response, a member of the National Academies of Sciences’ Gulf Research Program’s Enhancing Community Resilience Committee, and a member of the Publications Board of the American Public Health Association. She has provided technical assistance to public health agencies globally around disasters, emerging infectious disease outbreaks, and pandemic influenza planning and response.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor and Founding Director of the Epidemiology Program and Core Faculty at the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware

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