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National Preparedness Month: Considering the Impact of the Social Determinants of Health on Preparedness
September is National Preparedness Month and like previous years, Michigan Prepares is encouraging everyone to protect the life they’ve built by preparing for disasters. But we must also acknowledge that some preparedness recommendations may not account for how the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can affect a person’s opportunities to prepare and respond to their full potential.
The SDOH contribute to health disparities and inequities in living, working, health, and social conditions. These inequities can limit access to resources, supplies, and services. Limitations such as no reliable transportation can for example, make it difficult or impossible for some people to prepare for and respond to emergencies that require evacuation. SDOH can greatly impact personal preparedness and the ability for individuals and some communities to respond to their full potential.
Things to consider:
- People with lower or fixed incomes may find it difficult to build an emergency fund or to store extra food beyond what they need for daily use.
- People with limited English proficiency may not receive, understand, and take protective actions.
- People who don’t have a primary care provider may find it difficult to create an emergency supply of prescription medicines.
- People who do not have a reliable vehicle or access to public transportation may find it difficult to evacuate.
- People who have experienced discrimination or racism are less likely to follow the instructions of officials.
As a part of this year’s preparedness month campaign, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a toolkit to help “Meet People Where They Are.” “Meeting people where they are” means creating opportunities for everyone to prepare and respond to emergencies to their full potential.
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Pentagon Biological Defense Programs at ‘Pivot Point’
National Defense Magazine
The Defense Department will invest an additional $300 million per year over the next five years to guard against known and emerging biological threats, a senior Pentagon official said July 28. Deb Rosenblum, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological programs, said what is being called “bio-convergence” — the joining of biological sciences and emerging technologies will be both a boon to society but a threat to U.S. forces and the homeland as well.
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Workplace Perceptions and Experiences Related to COVID-19 Response Efforts Among Public Health Workers — Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey, United States, September 2021–January 2022
What is already known about this topic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained many essential frontline professionals, including public health workers.
What is added by this report?
The 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey recorded the perspectives of the governmental public health workforce. During March 2020–January 2022, 72% of the workforce fully or partially served in a COVID-19 response role. Apart from funding, 51% of respondents cited a need for additional staff capacity to respond to COVID-19. Approximately 40% of the workforce intends to leave their jobs within the next 5 years.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Purposeful succession planning and focused attention on recruitment and retention that promotes diversity will be critical as the workforce rebuilds while the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
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Reducing Stigma in Monkeypox Communication and Community Engagement
Helping people make the best-informed decisions to protect their health and the health of their community from monkeypox requires providing key prevention information to the public and working with partners and trusted messengers to ensure information reaches affected communities.
How Partners can Help Message about Monkeypox
- Partners can help by providing monkeypox information to different communities and various channels. Be careful to avoid marginalizing groups who may be at increased risk for monkeypox. Keep messages fact-based to help prevent stigmatizing populations most affected.
- While developing resources and messages, use CDC’s Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication.
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The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness (BETP) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of Michigan's citizens and communities.
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This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement number 1NU90TP922062-01-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Bureau of EMS, Trauma & Preparedness | 1001 Terminal Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 | 517-335-8150
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