Yale Bulletin and Calendar

March 30, 2007|Volume 35, Number 23

Events to help prepare citizens
for a public health emergency

In order to encourage New Haven residents to be ready to face the challenges of the next public health emergency, the Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness (YCPHP) is sponsoring a series of roundtable discussions in collaboration with community leaders.

The series is being presented as part of National Public Health Week April 2-8, which has as its theme: "Take the First Step! Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation's Vulnerable Populations."

Despite the growing threat of a natural or man-made disaster, only a small percentage of Americans have emergency plans in place, according to the American Public Health Association (APHA), which is sponsoring National Public Health Week.

Being prepared is an even bigger challenge, notes the APHA, for some of the nation's support organizations and the most vulnerable populations they serve, such as mothers with young children, local food banks, hourly wage workers, schools serving children in kindergarten through 12th grade, and individuals with chronic health conditions.

The YCPHP-sponsored roundtables will be centered on four of the themes being explored during National Public Health Week. All events are free; the public is encouraged to participate actively.

Following is a list of the topics that will be explored.

"Mothers with Children in the Household," noon-1:30 p.m., Monday, April 2, in the Wilson Branch Library, 303 Washington Ave. Michelle Funaro of the American Red Cross will speak about developing a comprehensive family preparedness plan.

"Food Banks," noon-1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, in the Stetson Branch Library, 200 Dixwell Ave. Nancy Carrington of the Connecticut Food Bank will discuss the organization's plans to ensure continuity of services before, during and after an emergency.

"Hourly Wage Workers," 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, Gateway Community College, 60 Sargent Dr. The Reverend John Scott and local business leaders will talk about "Continuity of Operations Plans" for businesses affected by disasters.

"K-12 Schools," noon-1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 5, Board of Education Office, 54 Meadow St. Staff of the New Haven public school system will discuss their preparedness plans.

The YCPHP works to ensure that frontline public health workers are prepared to respond to public health emergencies including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and disease outbreaks. To achieve this mission, the center focuses on the preparedness of the existing public health workforce, as well as new members of the workforce, and offers specialty education to those who plan to focus on public health preparedness. Based at the Yale School of Public Health, YCPHP is funded by the Centers for Disease Control.

Co-sponsors for the week's events include: the Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness, the Connecticut Public Health Association, New Haven Health Department, American Red Cross/New Haven Chapter, Connecticut Food Bank, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Gateway Community College and the New Haven Board of Education.

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