Pediatric-Specific Hazard Vulnerability Analysis: The Missing Component of Regional and Hospital-Based Preparedness. (30th May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kappy, Brandon; Parish, April; Barda, Amie; Frost, Pat; Timm, Nathan
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 17(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05-30
• Subjects: children in disasters -- disaster preparedness -- hazard vulnerability analysis; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.90
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

Abstract: Though children comprise a large percentage of the population and are uniquely vulnerable to disasters, pediatric considerations are often omitted from regional and hospital-based emergency preparedness. Children's absence is particularly notable in hazard vulnerability analyses (HVAs), a commonly used tool that allows emergency managers to identify a hazard's impact, probability of occurrence, and previous mitigation efforts. This paper introduces a new pediatric-specific HVA that provides emergency managers with a quantifiable means to determine how a hazard might affect children within a given region, taking into account existing preparedness most relevant to children's safety. Impact and preparedness categories within the pediatric-specific HVA incorporate age-based equipment and care needs, long-term developmental and mental health consequences, and the hospital and community functions most necessary for supporting children during disasters. The HVA allows emergency managers to create a more comprehensive assessment of their pediatric populations and preparatory requirements.