Ali Everhart1, Resham Patel2, Nicole A Errett1. 1. University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. 2. Public Health - Seattle & King County.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Disaster research can inform effective, efficient, and evidence-based public health practices and decision making; identify and address knowledge gaps in current disaster preparedness and response efforts; and evaluate disaster response strategies. This study aimed to identify challenges and opportunities experienced by Washington State local health departments (LHDs) regarding engagement in disaster research activities. METHODS: An online survey was disseminated to the emergency preparedness representative for the 35 LHDs in Washington State. Survey questions sought to assess familiarity and experience with disaster research, as well as identify facilitators and barriers to their involvement. The survey was first piloted with 7 local and state public health emergency preparedness practitioners. RESULTS: A total of 82.9% of Washington's 35 LHDs responded to our survey. Only 17.2% of respondents had previous experience with disaster research. Frequently reported barriers to engaging in disaster research included funding availability, competing everyday priorities, staff capacity, and competing priorities during disaster response. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can inform efforts to support disaster research partnerships with Washington State LHDs and facilitate future collaboration. Researchers and public health practitioners should develop relationships and work to incorporate disaster research into LHD planning, training, and exercises to foster practice-based disaster research capacity.
OBJECTIVE: Disaster research can inform effective, efficient, and evidence-based public health practices and decision making; identify and address knowledge gaps in current disaster preparedness and response efforts; and evaluate disaster response strategies. This study aimed to identify challenges and opportunities experienced by Washington State local health departments (LHDs) regarding engagement in disaster research activities. METHODS: An online survey was disseminated to the emergency preparedness representative for the 35 LHDs in Washington State. Survey questions sought to assess familiarity and experience with disaster research, as well as identify facilitators and barriers to their involvement. The survey was first piloted with 7 local and state public health emergency preparedness practitioners. RESULTS: A total of 82.9% of Washington's 35 LHDs responded to our survey. Only 17.2% of respondents had previous experience with disaster research. Frequently reported barriers to engaging in disaster research included funding availability, competing everyday priorities, staff capacity, and competing priorities during disaster response. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can inform efforts to support disaster research partnerships with Washington State LHDs and facilitate future collaboration. Researchers and public health practitioners should develop relationships and work to incorporate disaster research into LHD planning, training, and exercises to foster practice-based disaster research capacity.
Entities:
Keywords:
disaster research response; local health departments; public health preparedness
Authors: Aubrey Miller; Kevin Yeskey; Stavros Garantziotis; Stacey Arnesen; April Bennett; Liam O'Fallon; Claudia Thompson; Les Reinlib; Scott Masten; James Remington; Cindy Love; Steve Ramsey; Richard Rosselli; Betsy Galluzzo; Joy Lee; Richard Kwok; Joseph Hughes Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-07-04 Impact factor: 3.390