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Kuddes C. Public Health Preparedness Practitioners: Fluent in Disaster. Am J Public Health 2024; 114:180-182. [PMID: 38207234 PMCID: PMC10862223 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2023.307533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Kuddes
- Caleb Kuddes is an emergency response coordinator at Douglas County Health Department, Omaha, NE, and a student at the College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
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Dudley L, Couper I, Kannangarage NW, Naidoo S, Ribas CR, Koller TS, Young T. COVID-19 preparedness and response in rural and remote areas: A scoping review. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002602. [PMID: 37967067 PMCID: PMC10651055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
This scoping review used the Arksey and O'Malley approach to explore COVID-19 preparedness and response in rural and remote areas to identify lessons to inform future health preparedness and response planning. A search of scientific and grey literature for rural COVID-19 preparedness and responses identified 5 668 articles published between 2019 and early 2022. A total of 293 articles were included, of which 160 (54.5%) were from high income countries and 106 (36.2%) from middle income countries. Studies focused mostly on the Maintenance of Essential Health Services (63; 21.5%), Surveillance, epidemiological investigation, contact tracing and adjustment of public health and social measures (60; 20.5%), Coordination and Planning (32; 10.9%); Case Management (30; 10.2%), Social Determinants of Health (29; 10%) and Risk Communication (22; 7.5%). Rural health systems were less prepared and national COVID-19 responses were often not adequately tailored to rural areas. Promising COVID-19 responses involved local leaders and communities, were collaborative and multisectoral, and engaged local cultures. Non-pharmaceutical interventions were applied less, support for access to water and sanitation at scale was weak, and more targeted approaches to the isolation of cases and quarantine of contacts were preferable to blanket lockdowns. Rural pharmacists, community health workers and agricultural extension workers assisted in overcoming shortages of health professionals. Vaccination coverage was hindered by weaker rural health systems. Digital technology enabled better coordination, communication, and access to health services, yet for some was inaccessible. Rural livelihoods and food security were affected through disruptions to local labour markets, farm produce markets and input supply chains. Important lessons include the need for rural proofing national health preparedness and response and optimizing synergies between top-down planning with localised planning and coordination. Equity-oriented rural health systems strengthening and action on rural social determinants is essential to better prepare for and respond to future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Dudley
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ian Couper
- Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Selvan Naidoo
- Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Clara Rodriguez Ribas
- Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organisation, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Theadora Swift Koller
- Department for Gender, Equity and Human Rights, Director General’s Office, World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Taryn Young
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Marcassoli A, Leonardi M, Passavanti M, De Angelis V, Bentivegna E, Martelletti P, Raggi A. Lessons Learned from the Lessons Learned in Public Health during the First Years of COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1785. [PMID: 36767152 PMCID: PMC9914715 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
(1) Objectives: to investigate the main lessons learned from the public health (PH) response to COVID-19, using the global perspective endorsed by the WHO pillars, and understand what countries have learned from their practical actions. (2) Methods: we searched for articles in PubMed and CINAHL from 1 January 2020 to 31 January 2022. 455 articles were included. Inclusion criteria were PH themes and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred and forty-four articles were finally included in a detailed scoping review. (3) Findings: 78 lessons learned were available, cited 928 times in the 144 articles. Our review highlighted 5 main lessons learned among the WHO regions: need for continuous coordination between PH institutions and organisations (1); importance of assessment and evaluation of risk factors for the diffusion of COVID-19, identifying vulnerable populations (2); establishment of evaluation systems to assess the impact of planned PH measures (3); extensive application of digital technologies, telecommunications and electronic health records (4); need for periodic scientific reviews to provide regular updates on the most effective PH management strategies (5). (4) Conclusion: lessons found in this review could be essential for the future, providing recommendations for an increasingly flexible, fast and efficient PH response to a healthcare emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Marcassoli
- Neurology, Public Health, Disability Unit and Coma Research Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Matilde Leonardi
- Neurology, Public Health, Disability Unit and Coma Research Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Passavanti
- Neurology, Public Health, Disability Unit and Coma Research Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio De Angelis
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bentivegna
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Martelletti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Raggi
- Neurology, Public Health, Disability Unit and Coma Research Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Ruggeri K, Palacios K, Perkins ZA, Fay TT, Perez J, Stump WP, Cooley C, Razack J, Tomlinson A, Spohr RT, Cosme M, Crudden R, Jani P, Carr A, Lefton A. Role of Military Forces in the New York State Response to COVID-19. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2022; 3:e222136. [DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.2136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Ruggeri
- New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Latham
- Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
- New York Air National Guard
| | | | - Zachary A. Perkins
- New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Latham
- 15th Detachment, 88th Area Command, New York Guard, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, New York
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Tomlinson
- New York Air National Guard
- New York Air National Guard, 139th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Scotia
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