A missing element in disaster mental health: behavioral health surveillance for first responders.
Considerable literature exists on surveillance for medical effects of responses to a disaster but there is a dearth of information on conducting surveillance of behavioral health effects for first responders. This article reviews the literature and rationale behind behavioral health surveillance in the context of medical surveillance of first responders, examines special populations and ethical issues, discusses a model currently used by the U.S. military, discusses unresolved issues, and concludes with some practical suggestions.
Shubert
Jan
J
Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460, USA. shubert.jan@epa.gov
Ritchie
Elspeth Cameron
EC
Everly
George S
GS
Fiedler
Nancy
N
Williams
Mary Beth
MB
Mitchell
Clifford S
CS
Langlieb
Alan M
AM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012066:Relief Work; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy