Admittedly, the world and the nature of forced migration have changed a great deal over the last two decades. The relevance of data accumulated during that time period can now be called into question. The roundtable and the Program on Forced Migration at the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University have commissioned a series of epidemiological reviews on priority public health problems for forced migrants that will update the state of knowledge. Malaria Control During Mass Population Movements and Natural Disasters- the first in the series, provides a basic overview of the state of knowledge of epidemiology of malaria and public health interventions and practices for controlling the disease in situations involving forced migration and conflict.
This publication is intended to contribute to prevention and control of the morbidity and mortality associated with dengue and to serve as an authoritative reference source for health workers and researchers. These guidelines are not intended to replace national guidelines but to assist in the development of national or regional guidelines. They are expected to remain valid for five years (until 2014), although developments in research could change their validity.--Publisher's description.
Aimed at practitioners, policymakers and researchers, this volume distills knowledge of environmental health during an emergency or disaster. It draws on results from the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction and experience with sustainable development between the two Earth Summits.
Integrated vector management (IVM) is a rational decision-making process for optimal use of resources for vector control. The aim of the IVM approach is to contribute to achievement of the global targets set for vector-borne disease control, by making vector control more efficient, cost-effective, ecologically sound and sustainable. Use of IVM helps vector control programs to find and use more local evidence, to integrate interventions where appropriate and to collaborate within the health sector and with other sectors, as well as with households and communities. By reorientating to IVM, vector control programs will be better able to meet the growing challenges in the control of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases in the face of dwindling public sector human and financial resources. This handbook presents an operational framework to guide managers and those implementing vector-borne disease control programs in designing more efficient, cost-effective systems. As a national IVM policy and an intersectoral steering committee are essential for establishing IVM as a national strategy, the handbook begins with the policy and institutional framework for IVM. Policy analysis is a means for identifying options for policy reform and suggesting instruments for implementing policy. IVM transforms the conventional system of vector control by making it more evidence-based, integrated and participative. This may require changes in roles, responsibilities and organizational links. The transition to IVM involves both reorientation of vector-borne disease control programs and embedding IVM within local health systems. Intersectoral partnerships and collaboration at both national and local levels will result in cost savings and benefits to other health services. Other relevant sectors, such as agriculture, environment, mining, industry, public works, local government and housing, should incorporate IVM and vector control into their own activities to prevent vector proliferation and disease transmission. Planning and implementing IVM involve assessing the epidemiological and vector situation at country level, analyzing the local determinants of disease, identifying and selecting vector control methods, assessing requirements and resources and designing locally appropriate implementation strategies. Solid evidence on the cost-effectiveness of interventions and their underlying parameters and a comprehensive vector surveillance system are essential for locally appropriate decision-making. Capacity-building, in particular human resource development, is a major challenge, because the IVM strategy requires skilled staff and adequate infrastructure at central and local levels. The handbook outlines the core functions and essential competence required for IVM at central and local levels, complementing a separate set of documents containing the Core structure for training curricula on integrated vector management and associated training materials. Like any new approach, IVM must be actively advocated and communicated in order to become established. The handbook lays out the elements and processes of IVM to enable policy-makers, donors and implementing partners to use it for vector-borne disease control. During the period of transition and consolidation of an IVM strategy, regular feedback is required on performance and impact in order to ensure continued support. The general public must also be made aware of the strategy and participate in its implementation. The communication tools for reaching the public are the media and various types of educational interventions to increase their knowledge and skills, which should lead to behavioral change and empowerment. The final section presents a comprehensive framework for monitoring and evaluation of IVM, covering aspects discussed in the previous sections. Indicators and methods for measuring process, outcomes and impact are proposed.
Meant to aid State & local emergency managers in their efforts to develop & maintain a viable all-hazard emergency operations plan. This guide clarifies the preparedness, response, & short-term recovery planning elements that warrant inclusion in emergency operations plans. It offers the best judgment & recommendations on how to deal with the entire planning process -- from forming a planning team to writing the plan. Specific topics of discussion include: preliminary considerations, the planning process, emergency operations plan format, basic plan content, functional annex content, hazard-unique planning, & linking Federal & State operations.
Public health officials have the traditional responsibilities of protecting the food supply, safeguarding against communicable disease, and ensuring safe and healthful conditions for the population. Beyond this, public health today is challenged in a way that it has never been before. Starting with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, public health officers have had to spend significant amounts of time addressing the threat of terrorism to human health. Hurricane Katrina was an unprecedented disaster for the United States. During the first weeks, the enormity of the event and the sheer response needs for public health became apparent. The tragic loss of human life overshadowed the ongoing social and economic disruption in a region that was already economically depressed. Hurricane Katrina reemphasized to the public and to policy makers the importance of addressing long-term needs after a disaster. On October 20, 2005, the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine held a workshop which convened members of the scientific community to highlight the status of the recovery effort, consider the ongoing challenges in the midst of a disaster, and facilitate scientific dialogue about the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on people's health. Environmental Public Health Impacts of Disasters: Hurricane Katrina is the summary of this workshop. This report will inform the public health, first responder, and scientific communities on how the affected community can be helped in both the midterm and the near future. In addition, the report can provide guidance on how to use the information gathered about environmental health during a disaster to prepare for future events.
This work is intended to help development workers and planners to identify and assess the risks of vector-borne diseases in a camp and to plan and implement cost-effective ways of controlling them. The main vector-borne diseases are described, the importance of identifying the particular disease, and of considering methods of control is emphasized.
