title: Knowledge of and Preparedness for Use of Environmental Assessments in Shelters During Disasters: Results of the 2013 State and Territorial Use of Shelter Assessments Survey.
abstract: Environmental health assessments of disaster shelters are critical for monitoring the living conditions of the occupants. However, knowledge and levels of utilization of these assessments have never been estimated in the United States or its territories. We aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey to ascertain knowledge and Utilization of environmental health disaster shelter assessments.
  
  
  
  The State and Territorial Use of Shelter Assessments Survey (STUSA) of environmental health department directors (N=56) was carried out in 2013.
  
  
  
  Survey responses were received from 55 of 56 targeted jurisdictions. Of those respondents, 92% of state jurisdictions and 100% of territories reported having knowledge about shelter assessments. However, only 40% of states and 60% of territories reported receiving formal training, and 53% of states and 50% of territories reported having operational procedures for shelter assessments. High levels of knowledge and familiarity and low levels of training and processes for operationalizing assessments were assessed.
  
  
  
  Because environmental health assessments may provide useful information in disaster settings, we need to understand the barriers to their implementation. The results of these assessments may also help to validate their usefulness in protecting shelter occupants during disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:11-14).
authors: 1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health,Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work,Florida International University,Miami,Florida.
authors: Miguel A
authors: MA
authors: Cruz
authors: 2Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work,Florida International University,Miami,Florida.
authors: Muni
authors: M
authors: Rubens
authors: 3Department of Biostatistics,Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work,Florida International University,Miami,Florida.
authors: Stephanie J
authors: SJ
authors: Garcia
authors: 4National Center for Environmental Health,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors: Josephine
authors: J
authors: Malilay
authors: 5School of International and Public Affairs,Columbia University,New York,New York.
authors: Karen L
authors: KL
authors: Levin
authors: 3Department of Biostatistics,Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work,Florida International University,Miami,Florida.
authors: O Dale
authors: OD
authors: Williams
mesh_terms: D002959:Civil Defense / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060447:Emergency Shelter / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: disaster assessments; disaster shelters; public health; risk assessments; vulnerable populations