# 7365
Sometimes the most difficult part of a natural disaster comes in the aftermath – where for days or weeks large populations can be without vital services like power, potable water, emergency services, and medical care.
While everyone needs to have the basic emergency supplies to sustain them (and their families) for 3 to 10 days, people with chronic medical conditions need to take additional steps to help ensure their safety.
Since we live in hurricane country, while my father was still alive I made sure he always had a month’s supply of all of his heart, blood pressure, & pain medications set aside. Since he used an oxygen concentrator (which requires electricity to run), we also kept a large `hurricane’ oxygen bottle in reserve.
These are basic steps that anyone dependent upon Rx medications or oxygen need to consider in their emergency plans.
But for some chronic illnesses (like insulin dependent diabetes or end-stage renal failure) a week or two without electrical power or serious disruptions in a community’s ability to provide medical services - can provide additional challenges.
To the rescue today comes CIDRAP’s Public Health Practices, a freely accessible repository of public health tools and strategies,which I try to highlight every couple of months.
Public Health Practices is sponsored by CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota, in partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).
Their June email update – just in time for the Atlantic Hurricane Season – contains links to toolkits designed for people who must deal with chronic illnesses during times of disaster, including emergency responders.
A few examples to get you started.
KIDNEY DISEASE
Dialysis machine: Wisconsin's Technical Colleges
DIET PLANS
Missouri developed diet plans, checklists, and preparedness resources for people who can't access dialysis during a disaster. View details.
COMMUNICATION WITH RESPONDERS
Florida created a guide to help first responders understand the needs of people with kidney disease and other chronic conditions. View details.
ALTERNATIVES TO DIALYSIS
The Trans-Atlantic Renal Council in New Jersey assembled a comprehensive plan for functioning without dialysis during an emergency. View details.
DIABETES
SUPPLIES AND GUIDANCE
A New Jersey healthcare system developed supply lists and tip sheets for diabetes safety and foot care during a disaster. View details.
Insulin syringe: Yusmar Yahaya
VACCINE ALLOCATION
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota allocated scarce H1N1 vaccine to assure that people with diabetes were immunized. View details.
The depth and variety of resources here is truly impressive, and it grows each and every month. You’ll find tools and practices that cover a wide range of public health concerns, including chemical, radiological, and natural disasters.
Whether you are looking for a specific solution, or simply looking for muse to inspire your organization’s emergency preparedness efforts, visiting Public Health Practices – and returning often – will likely pay tremendous dividends.
You can also follow Public Health Practices on twitter at @PHPractices.
As always, highly recommended.
