A modified Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) four months after Hurricane Sandy

Disasters ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleena Subaiya ◽  
Joshua Stillman ◽  
Yoanna Pumpalova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

Developing an instrument to measure household radiological emergency preparedness using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) methodology: An evidence-informed approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-305
Author(s):  
Rennie W. Ferguson, DrPH, MHS ◽  
Daniel J. Barnett, MD, MPH ◽  
Ryan David Kennedy, PhD ◽  
Tara Kirk Sell, PhD, MA ◽  
Jessica S. Wieder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Radiological Emergency ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

Introduction: Community assessments to measure emergency preparedness can inform policies, planning, and communication to the public to improve readiness and response if an emergency was to occur. Public health and emergency management officials need an effective assessment tool to measure community preparedness for a radiological emergency. Methods: The authors created a survey instrument to collect data on household radiological emergency preparedness that could be implemented using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) methodology, developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To inform the development of the tool, the authors examined existing CASPER surveys, focusing on identifying best practices for creating a survey instrument, as well as analyzing the results of a survey of radiation preparedness experts and state/local health and emergency management officials. Results: The developed survey tool includes 32 questions covering four domains: communication in an emergency, preparedness planning, physical/behavioral health, and demographics. The instrument captures information related to identified barriers in communicating in a radiological emergency as well as self-reported behaviors that could potentially be influenced through awareness and education.Discussion: Using the proposed survey instrument and following the existing rapid assessment methodology provided by CASPER, public health and emergency management agencies can collect valuable information on the radiation preparedness needs of their communities, which can then be used to improve household readiness for an emergency.

Longitudinal Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response to Wildfire, Bastrop County, Texas

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie R. Kirsch ◽  
Bonnie A. Feldt ◽  
David F. Zane ◽  
Tracy Haywood ◽  
Russell W. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

scholarly journals The Use of Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response to Evaluate NWS Warnings

2014 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy H. Chiu ◽  
Rebecca S. Noe ◽  
John Paul Martin ◽  
Amy F. Wolkin ◽  
Sara J. Vagi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

Assessing Radiation Emergency Preparedness Planning by Using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) Methodology

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mawuli K. Nyaku ◽  
Amy F. Wolkin ◽  
Jevon McFadden ◽  
Jim Collins ◽  
Michelle Murti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Sampling Design ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Oakland County ◽  
Radiation Emergency ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

AbstractIntroductionApproximately 1.2 million persons in Oakland County, Michigan (USA) reside less than 50 miles from the Fermi Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2, but information is limited regarding how residents might react during a radiation emergency. Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey methodology has been used in disaster and nondisaster settings to collect reliable and accurate population-based public health information, but it has not been used to assess household-level emergency preparedness for a radiation emergency. To improve emergency preparedness plans in Oakland County, including how residents might respond during a radiation emergency, Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), conducted a CASPER survey.MethodsDuring September 2012, a 2-stage cluster sampling design was used to select 210 representative households in Oakland County. By using in-person surveys, the proportion of households with essential needs and supplies, how residents might respond to public health authorities’ instructions, and their main source for obtaining information during a radiation emergency were assessed. Data were weighted to account for the complex sampling design.ResultsOf the goal of 210 households, 192 (91.4%) surveys were completed: 64.7% and 85.4% of respondents indicated having 3-day supplies of water and of nonperishable food, respectively; 62.8% had a 7-day supply of prescription medication for each person who needed it. Additionally, 64.2% had a working carbon monoxide detector; 67.1% had a first-aid kit; and 52% had an alternative heat source. In response to instructions from public health officials during a radiation emergency, 93.3% of all respondents would report to a radiation screening center; 96% would evacuate; and 91.8% would shelter-in-place. During a radiation emergency, 55.8% of respondents indicated their main information source would be television, 18.4% radio, and 13.6% the Internet. The most trusted source for information would be the local public health department (36.5%), local news (23%), a physician (11.2%), and family members (11.1%). Including completed and incomplete interviews, refusals, and nonrespondents, 517 total households were contacted.ConclusionsCASPER data regarding how residents might react during a radiation emergency provided objective and quantifiable information that will be used to develop Oakland County's radiation emergency preparedness plans. Survey information demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of CASPER methodology for radiation emergency preparedness planning.NyakuMK, WolkinAF, McFaddenJ, CollinsJ, MurtiM, SchnallA, BiesS, StanburyM, BeggsJ, BayleyegnTM. Assessing radiation emergency preparedness planning by using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) methodology. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(3):1-9.

scholarly journals Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) One Year Following the Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Alabama and Mississippi, 2011

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 496-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Buttke ◽  
Sara Vagi ◽  
Amy Schnall ◽  
Tesfaye Bayleyegn ◽  
Melissa Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response ◽  
One Year

AbstractBackgroundOn April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling unit exploded off the coast of Louisiana, resulting in 11 deaths and the largest marine petroleum release in history. Previous oil spill disasters have been associated with negative mental health outcomes in affected communities. In response to requests from Mississippi and Alabama, potential mental health issues resulting from this event were identified by implementing a novel use of a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in the months immediately following the Gulf Coast oil spill.PurposeThis assessment was repeated one year later to determine long-term mental health needs and changes.MethodsA two-stage sampling method was used to select households, and a questionnaire including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) questions was administered. Weighted cluster analysis was conducted, and BRFSS questions were compared to the most recent BRFSS reports and the 2010 results.ResultsIn 2011, 8.8%-15.1% of individuals reported depressive symptoms compared to 15.4%–24.5% of individuals in 2010, with 13.2%-20.3% reporting symptoms consistent with an anxiety disorder compared to 21.4%-31.5% of individuals in 2010. Respondents reporting decreased income following the oil spill were more likely to report mental health symptoms compared to respondents reporting no change in income.ConclusionsOverall, mental health symptoms were higher in the three assessment areas compared to BRFSS reports, but lower than 2010 surveys. These results suggest that mental health services are still needed, particularly in households experiencing decreased income since the oil spill.ButtkeD, VagiS, SchnallA, BayleyegnT, MorrisonM, AllenM, WolkinA. Community assessment for public health emergency response (CASPER) one year following the Gulf Coast oil spill: Alabama and Mississippi, 2011. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(6):1-7.

An Evaluation of Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in North Carolina, 2003-2010

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Horney ◽  
Meredith K. Davis ◽  
Sarah E.H. Davis ◽  
Aaron Fleischauer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Health Departments ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
The Us ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

AbstractIntroductionCommunity Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is a group of tools and methods designed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide rapid, reliable, and accurate population-based public health information. Since 2003, North Carolina public health professionals have used CASPERs to facilitate public health emergency responses and gather information on other topics including routine community health assessments.ProblemTo date, there has been no evaluation of CASPER use by public health agencies at the state or local level in the US.MethodsLocal health departments of North Carolina reported when and how CASPERs were used during the period 2003 to 2010 via an online survey. Data on barriers and future plans for using CASPERs also were collected.ResultsFifty-two of North Carolina's 85 local health departments (61%) completed the survey. Twenty-eight departments reported 46 instances of CASPER use during 2003 to 2010. The majority of CASPERs were performed for community health assessments (n = 20, 43%) or exercises (n = 11, 24%). Fifty-six percent of respondents indicated they were “likely” or “very likely” to use CASPERs in the future; those who had prior experience with CASPERs were significantly more likely (P = .02) to report planned future use of CASPERs compared to those without prior experience with the tool. Lack of training, equipment, and time were the most frequently reported barriers to using CASPERs.ConclusionsLocal public health agencies with clear objectives and goals can effectively use CASPERs in both routine public health practice and disaster settings.HorneyJ, DavisMK, DavisSEH, FleischauerA. An evaluation of Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in North Carolina, 2003-2010. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(2):1–5.

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