Informal caregivers are a population currently in the shadows of disaster risk reduction (DRR), and yet essential to the provision of healthcare services. This scoping review explored the literature to understand issues related to informal caregiving and promising practices to support resilience for disasters. Following guidelines for scoping review as outlined by Tricco et al. (2016), relevant publications were identified from five major databases—Medline, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Relevant studies referenced informal caregiving and disasters for a variety of population groups including children, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and older adults. Studies were excluded if they discussed formal caregiving services (for example, nursing), lacked relevance to disasters, or had insufficient discussion of informal caregiving. Overall, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria and were fully analyzed. Five themes were identified: (1) the need for education and training in DRR; (2) stressors around medication and supply issues; (3) factors affecting the decision-making process in a disaster; (4) barriers leading to disaster-related problems; and (5) factors promoting resilience. Recommended areas of strategic action and knowledge gaps are discussed. Many informal caregivers do not feel adequately prepared for disasters. Given the important role of informal caregivers in healthcare provision, preparedness strategies are essential to support community resilience for those requiring personal care support. By understanding and mobilizing assets to support the resilience of informal caregivers, we also support the resilience of the greater healthcare system and the community, in disaster contexts.
Setting The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction promotes an "all-of-society" approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Since 2013, the EnRiCH Research Lab has implemented a community-based, participatory program to promote youth development and engagement in DRR in Ottawa-Gatineau. The EnRiCH Youth Research Team used an existing community education program called the Enrichment Mini-Course Program as a framework to engage youth in DRR. We aim to share the implementation process and lessons learned from this innovative "all-of-society" approach to DRR. Intervention The EnRiCH Youth Research Team provides high school and university students with a platform to be heard on disaster and climate change issues. Youth are given opportunities to design and lead knowledge dissemination projects intended to educate members of the community about disaster prevention and preparedness. Students have opportunities to connect with academics, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and public health practitioners to share their ideas on youth participation in DRR in Canada. Outcomes To date, this public health intervention has produced DRR training modules that can be used as curriculum support by teachers, a children's book on earthquake preparedness, an educational video about youth participation in DRR, and several conference presentations. Members of the team have become well versed in disaster preparedness strategies. Implications This program has demonstrated that youth can contribute to DRR through knowledge mobilization, and support public education about disaster preparedness. Offering this opportunity at a grassroots level can support participation by youth by allowing flexibility in design and adaptation to individual environmental and social contexts.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 underlines the importance of Science and Technology (S&T) and S&T networks for effective disaster risk reduction (DRR). The knowledge of existing S&T networks and their exact role in DRR, however, is limited. This opinion piece initiates a discussion on the role of S&T networks in the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The article highlights that current practice is oriented towards a narrative that emphasizes the potential of S&T for DRR and stresses a collaborative approach delivered through networks. But a true understanding of whether and how S&T networks can mobilize and enable S&T for DRR is missing. We call for a review of existing S&T networks for DRR and the development of good practice guidelines on S&T networks for DRR. This review should include knowledge on how to overcome common challenges and maximize the benefits, along with a framework for successful evaluation of such networks. This knowledge would provide much needed guidance for existing and emerging networks.
Background: Deaf people constitute a minority group; most deaf people use sign language, which is not universal. In emergencies and disasters, conditions are created that can affect their lives. The role of a sign language interpreter in emergencies can be vital. In Israel, there are no regulations concerning the work of the interpreters in emergency situations. Despite that there are about 250 registered interpreters of Israel Sign Language, only around 120 professional interpreters work. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 84 interpreters of sign language in Israel was carried out. A self-administered questionnaire was developed, inquiring into various aspects of willingness to work in emergency situations, including translator-client interactions and translators' work characteristics. Results: The majority of respondents live in the central region of Israel (79%), 83% of them are women. Only 45% of interpreters work full-time. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents are hearing children of deaf parents. Half of them stated that in emergency situations, they need to help a relative before working as an interpreter. Conclusion: Significance of the findings: In an emergency, there might not be enough sign language interpreters. Most interpreters are women who do not work full time, and are committed to care for their family first. Most emergency situations in Israel have occurred in periphery areas of the country, where a small number of interpreters live. These findings point to inequities in emergency situations, not only towards the deaf community, but also among different groups in the deaf community. Recommendations: Encourage interpreters of sign language to study and work in periphery areas, granting financial incentives to study professional interpretation, and to work during emergencies. Study/Objective: To determine the extent to which homeless people were aware of, and able to prepare for, the possibility of a pandemic influenza outbreak. Background: The health of homeless people is precarious, with rates of chronic illness reported at three and four times that of the general population. One overarching issue is how they can cope with related health, shelter, and food issues in the event of a pandemic outbreak. This presentation reports on a nationwide study of pandemic preparedness, from the viewpoint of homeless people. The time-frame in which the data were collected included an outbreak of H1N1 influenza. Thus, the respondents had real-time experiences in effective and non-helpful approaches to dealing with a possible pandemic. Methods: In four Canadian cities, Toronto, Regina, Calgary, and Victoria, 351 homeless individuals participated in extensive interviews that covered a range of housing, health, and coping behaviors. The content of the interviews specifically dealt with experiences during the threat of a pandemic outbreak of H1N1, experiences with health and shelter staff, and recommendations for further preparation in the event of an outbreak. Data were coded and analyzed using SPSS-22. Ana...
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