A Rapid Assessment of Disaster Preparedness Needs and Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: This year has seen the emergence of two major crises, a significant increase in the frequency and severity of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known as to how each of these two events have impacted the other. A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted to determine the impact of the pandemic on preparedness and response to natural disasters and the impact of past experiences with natural disasters in responding to the pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 representatives of 24 different community-based programs in southern Louisiana. Data were analyzed using procedures embedded in the Rapid Assessment Procedure-Informed Community Ethnography methodology, using techniques of immersion and crystallization and focused thematic analysis. Results: The pandemic has impacted the form and function of disaster preparedness, making it harder to plan for evacuations in the event of a hurricane. Specific concerns included being able to see people in person, providing food and other resources to residents who shelter in place, finding volunteers to assist in food distribution and other forms of disaster response, competing for funds to support disaster-related activities, developing new support infrastructures, and focusing on equity in disaster preparedness. However, several strengths based on disaster preparedness experience and capabilities were identified, including providing a framework for how to respond and adapt to COVID and integration of COVID response with their normal disaster preparedness activities. Conclusions: Although prior experience has enabled community-based organizations to respond to the pandemic, the pandemic is also creating new challenges to preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy and Practice Implementation

“…Apart from guidance provided by the Center for Medicaid Studies [ 28 ] and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [ 29 ], SMHAs responded to the crisis “on the fly” as described by one participant, relying on questionable data collected from emergency response services and anecdotal reports of increased need for all forms of mental and behavioral health services. This was in contrast to the development and implementation of pre-pandemic policies that utilized research evidence obtained from intermediary organizations, expert consultants, conferences, and professional networks [ 10 , 20 ].…”

“…Consistently with recommendations for use of rapid assessment methods for qualitative data analysis [ 19 ], analysis of the data obtained from the semi-structured interviews followed a protocol embedded in the methodology of Rapid Assessment Procedures-Informed Community Ethnography (RAPICE) [ 20 ]. The method involves rapid data collection through semi-structured interviews and/or ethnographic fieldwork by clinically trained researchers, and data analysis by a trained qualitative methodologist, interviewers/fieldworkers and a group of SMHA representatives who were invited to serve as members of an Advisory Council to inform/clarify key themes and enrich descriptions.…”

A Rapid Ethnographic Assessment of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Services Delivery in an Acute Care Medical Emergency Department and Trauma Center

“…It was chosen because that the research staff was familiar with this protocol and there was no time to validate prior to utilizing. However, a community-based version of the protocol was subsequently used in other settings (Palinkas et al, 2021 ).…”

Leveraging anthropological expertise to respond to the COVID‐19 global mental health syndemic

“…These factors have produced syndemic (Singer and Rylko-Bauer 2021) traumatic stress across populations, where persistent inequalities are amplified, and the greatest impact is endured by the most structurally marginalized (Whitacre et al 2021). Acknowledging the limitations of the concept of trauma in Western society (Fassin and Rechtman 2009), anthropologists are in a unique position to address the COVID-19 global mental health syndemic through culturally and politically contextual epistemologies of mental health (Fletcher et al 2022) within the global sociocultural contexts where anthropologists are located (Briggs 2020;Closser and Finley 2016;Ennis-McMillan and Hedges 2020;Kim 2020;Palinkas et al 2021). We call on anthropologists to align our professional capabilities and sensitivities to support the alleviation of mental health conditions incurred by the pandemic and to take direct action related to development and implementation of solutions.…”

“… 2022 ) within the global sociocultural contexts where anthropologists are located (Briggs 2020 ; Closser and Finley 2016 ; Ennis‐McMillan and Hedges 2020 ; Kim 2020 ; Palinkas et al. 2021 ). We call on anthropologists to align our professional capabilities and sensitivities to support the alleviation of mental health conditions incurred by the pandemic and to take direct action related to development and implementation of solutions.…”