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Information for Disasters, Information Disasters, and Disastrous Information
- Sharon M. McDonnell, Helen N. Perry, Brooke McLaughlin, Bronwen McCurdy, R. Gibson Parrish
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 22 / Issue 5 / October 2007
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 28 June 2012, pp. 406-413
- Print publication:
- October 2007
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Information is needed to support humanitarian responses in every phase of a disaster. Participants of a multilateral working group convened to examine how best to meet these information needs. Although information systems based on routine reporting of diseases are desirable because they have the potential to identify trends, these systems usually do not deliver on their promise due to inadequate organization and management to support them.
To identify organizational and management characteristics likely to be associated with successful information systems in disaster settings, evaluations of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) programs in 12 participating countries were reviewed. Characteristics that were mentioned repeatedly in the evaluations as associated with success were grouped into nine categories: (1) human resources management and supervision; (2) political support; (3) strengthened laboratory capacity; (4) communication and feedback (through many mechanisms); (5) infrastructure and resources; (6) system design and capacity; (7) coordination and partnerships with stakeholders; (8) community input; and (9) evaluation. Selected characteristics and issues within each category are discussed.
Based on the review of the IDSR evaluations and selected articles in the published literature, recommendations are provided for improving the shortand long-term organization and management of information systems in humanitarian responses associated with disasters. It is suggested that information systems that follow these recommendations are more likely to yield quality information and be sustainable even in disaster settings.
Cardiovascular Mortality — The Hidden Peril of Heat Waves
- Sherrilyn H. Wainwright, Sharunda D. Buchanan, Hugh M. Mainzer, R. Gibson Parrish, Thomas H. Sinks
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 15 / Issue 1 / March 2000
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 28 June 2012, p. 87
- Print publication:
- March 2000
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- Article
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Objective:
Define the mortality associated with extremely hot weather during the 04 July through 14 July, 1993 heat wave that struck the northeastern United States.
Methods:Design — A rapid field assessment was used to compare mortality occurring during the heat wave to mortality occurring during a period in which there was no heat wave using copies of death certificates, The findings of the rapid field assessment were validated, and it was determined whether increases in mortality occurred in other metropolitan east-coast counties also affected by the heat wave, by reviewing computerized mortality files.
Setting — Information was collected on all deaths occurring in Baltimore City, Maryland; Baltimore County, Maryland; Essex County, New Jersey; Newcastle County, Delaware; and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; during these specified study periods: 08 – 18 June (comparison period) and 06 – 16 July (heat wave study period), 1993.
Main Outcome Measures — Ratios for total mortality, cause-specific mortality, and variables such as age, sex, race, residence, and day and place of death, that were available fiom death certificates were calculated.
Results:From the rapid field assessment, the following were observed: a 26% increase in total mortality and a 98% increase in cardiovascular mortality associated with the heat wave in Philadelphia. Data from the computerized mortality files showed an increase in total mortality in four of five counties examined and an increase in cardiovascular mortality in all five counties. The risk for death for those dying from cardiovascular disease increased significantly for people older than 64 years, for both sexes, and all races.
Conclusion:As initially indicated by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner, there was excess mortality associated with a heat wave in Philadelphia. All other nearby counties examined also experienced excess mortality associated with the heat wave, although this excess was not recognized by the local health officials. The true impact of a heat wave that causes excess preventable mortality must be appropriately and rapidly ascertained. Using a national standard to certify a death as heat-related will provide the needed information rapidly so that public health resources can be more effectively allocated and mobilized to prevent further heat-related illnesses and death.
Cardiovascular Mortality — The Hidden Peril of Heat Waves
- Sherrilyn H. Wainwright, Sharunda D. Buchanan, M. Mainzer, R. Gibson Parrish, Thomas H. Sinks
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 14 / Issue 4 / December 1999
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 28 June 2012, pp. 18-27
- Print publication:
- December 1999
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Objective:
— Define the mortality associated with extremely hot weather during the 04 July through 14 July, 1993 heat wave that struck the northeastern United States.
Methods:Design — A rapid field assessment was used to compare mortality occurring during the heat wave to mortality occurring during a period in which there was no heat wave using copies of death certificates. The findings of the rapid field assessment were validated, and it was determined whether increases in mortality occurred in other metropolitan east-coast counties also affected by the heat wave, by reviewing computerized mortality files. Setting —Information was collected on all deaths occurring in Baltimore City, Maryland; Baltimore County, Maryland; Essex County, New Jersey; Newcastle County, Delaware; and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; during these specified study periods: 08–18 June (comparison period) and 06–16 July (heat wave study period), 1993.
Main Outcome Measures — Ratios for total mortality, cause-specific mortality, and variables such as age, sex, race, residence, and day and place of death, that were available from death certificates were calculated.
Results:From the rapid field assessment, the following were observed: a 26% increase in total mortality and a 98% increase in cardiovascular mortality associated with the heat wave in Philadelphia. Data from the computerized mortality files showed an increase in total mortality in four of five counties examined and an increase in cardiovascular mortality in all five counties. The risk for death for those dying from cardiovascular disease increased significantly for people older than 64 years, for both sexes, and all races.
Conclusion:Conclusion: As initially indicated by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner, there was excess mortality associated with a heat wave in Philadelphia. All other nearby counties examined also experienced excess mortality associated with the heat wave, although this excess was not recognized by the local health officials. The true impact of a heat wave that causes excess preventable mortality must be appropriately and rapidly ascertained. Using a national standard to certify a death as heat-related will provide the needed information rapidly so that public health resources can be more effectively allocated and mobilized to prevent further heat-related illnesses and death.