Assessing functional needs sheltering in Pike County, Kentucky: using a community assessment for public health emergency response.
OBJECTIVE
During 2009-2011, Pike County, Kentucky, experienced a series of severe weather events that resulted in property damage, insufficient potable water, and need for temporary shelters. A Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey was implemented for future planning. CASPER assesses household health status, preparedness level, and anticipated demand for shelters.


METHODS
We used a 2-stage cluster sampling design to randomly select 210 representative households for in-person interviews. We estimated the proportion of households with children aged 2 years or younger; adults aged 65 years or older; and residents with chronic health conditions, visual impairments, physical limitations, and supplemental oxygen requirements.


RESULTS
Of all households surveyed, 8% included children aged 2 years or younger, and 27% included adults aged 65 years or older. The most common chronic health conditions were heart disease (51%), diabetes (28%), lung disease (23%), and asthma (21%). Visual impairments were reported in 29% of households, physical limitations in 24%, and supplemental oxygen use in 12%.


CONCLUSIONS
Pike County residents should be encouraged to maintain an adequate supply of medications and copies of their prescriptions. Emergency response plans should include transportation for persons with physical limitations; and shelter plans should include sufficient medically trained staff and adequate supplies of infant formula, pharmaceuticals, and supplemental oxygen. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:597-602).
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Atlanta, Georgia.
Amy R
AR
Kolwaite
Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service, San Francisco, California.
W Gary
WG
Hlady
University of North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness, North Carolina Institute for Public Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Matthew C
MC
Simon
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Betsy L
BL
Cadwell
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Atlanta, Georgia.
W Randolph
WR
Daley
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Aaron T
AT
Fleischauer
Pike County Health Department, Pikeville, Kentucky.
Zora
Z
May
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Doug
D
Thoroughman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060447:Emergency Shelter / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000592:standards*; D012111:Residence Characteristics