Strengthening and Supporting Health Systems
Value and Challenges of Health Systems Strengthening Value There is strong global consensus on the need to strengthen health systems. “Weak health systems” are often cited as core drivers of…
Considerations for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Introduction “Although pandemics occur infrequently, planning and preparing for a pandemic is important to ensure an effective response. Planning for and responding to a pandemic is complex and pandemics can…
Medical Response to Disasters
The demands of international disaster relief have changed over the past decade in the spectrum of threats, the field of operations, and scope of medical care. International disasters include large-scale…
Radiological, Biological, and Chemical Agents
Further Reading Although this material is provided as a convenient initial reference, readers are strongly recommended to refer to the resources listed at the end of this chapter for more…
Mental Health in Crisis Regions
Introduction Armed conflicts and natural disasters cause significant challenges to the long-term mental health and psychosocial well-being of the affected population. Millions of people in many countries of the world…
Austere Surgery and Anesthesia
Surgery A significant number of Western physicians and other medical associates develop professional relationships with organizations involved with overseas medical care. The nature and extent of involvement ranges from brief…
Refugees and Internally-Displaced Persons
Background ■ Refugee (based on the 1951 Convention’s Article One): an individual, who, because of actual and present fear of hostility and treatment, as a result of his/her ethnic group,…
Before You Leave Home: Immunizations and Preventive Measures for Travel
Introduction When disaster strikes, time is of the essence. Disaster responders, including medical personnel, who travel to respond to a disaster may not dedicate the same amount of time and…
Public Health and Field Epidemiology
Site Selection/Establishing Camp Responders to a disaster are rarely afforded the luxury of selecting a site for creating a displaced persons camp. Despite the realities of establishing field operations in…
Environmental Diseases and Injuries
Environmental Diseases In the following pages the most common environmental diseases will be presented. They will be divided according to the causative factor. Basic Physics Definitions Definitions below will be…
