The recent global outbreak of the H1N1 virus (a.k.a. swine flu) reminds us that in a true pandemic, everyone is at risk. To be sure, there are populations that are even more vulnerable, including people with disabilities, elderly and those unable to take care of themselves. These are the people who may, for example, have more difficulty understanding health messages, reaching medical services, or stockpiling food. They may require assistance to meet basic needs or obtain routine or emergency medical care.
While the current flu is not expected to reach pandemic levels, it reinforces the need to prepare for the possibility of widespread viral infection.
In 2007, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop guidance for state, territorial, tribal, and local health departments on at-risk populations in an influenza pandemic.
ASTHO worked with state, local, tribal, and territorial health agencies; federal entities including CDC; and other key stakeholders to develop this guidance. Prior to this project, there was no specific national guidance in place to direct the development of such plans.
The project sets forth many policy and operational scenarios to address what will surely be a chaotic public health urgency in the event of pandemic. It is essential, for example, to identify the vulnerable groups and to plan a response. This might include communication across languages, formats and technologies. Housing, transportation and food are essential to all, but in the at-risk groups these require more planning and forethought. People may not be able to be transported; some have special diets; many have special medical needs.
The ASTHO guidelines encourage communities to come to grips with all people, to understand the need to coordinate among community based organizations, faith based organizations and public health agencies.
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Sam Maddox
Knowledge Manager
Reeve Foundation
