"We are all public health": September 11 and its aftermath through the eyes of public health educators at Ground Zero.
No one could have predicted the events of September 11. The days following this tragic event put public health educators' skills to the test as they transferred theory to practice to assist rescue workers, victims, and community residents to cope and rebuild their lives. As health educators working in New York City at that time, the authors were quickly thrust into experiences, roles, and responsibilities for which they thought they had little preparation. But as they worked at Ground Zero in the days immediately after the attack and later in the neighborhoods of lower Manhattan, they realized their health promotion practice and research training provided them with what they needed to play their part. This article briefly illustrates their experiences and describes the skills and knowledge they tapped into to assist the community.
Azar
Carol F
CF
New York City, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Bureau of Tobacco Control, New York City, USA.
Ruiz
Yumary
Y
D000401:Aircraft; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D040441:Health Educators; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009519:New York City; D024382:Professional Role; D011635:Public Health Administration; D023481:Terrorism