Considerations for future disaster registries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted outreach program that referred World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) enrollees, to specific post-disaster health care available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and evaluate differences in o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Disaster prevention and management 2018-06, Vol.27 (3), p.321-333
Main Authors: Petrsoric, Lysa, Miller-Archie, Sara A, Welch, Alice, Cone, James, Farfel, Mark
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asthma
Demographics
Disasters
Emergency preparedness
Health
Health surveys
Hispanic people
Interactions
Mental disorders
Mental health
Nuclear power plants
Post traumatic stress disorder
Response rates
September 11 terrorist attacks-2001
Stress
Surveying
Symptoms
Terrorism
Variables
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Summary:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted outreach program that referred World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) enrollees, to specific post-disaster health care available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and evaluate differences in outreach effectiveness based on demographic and health characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The Registry’s Treatment Referral Program (TRP) targeted 22,981 enrollees based on symptoms and conditions known to be related to 9/11, reported on a 2011-2012 follow-up survey. A call vendor was utilized for the initial outreach phone call. Enrollees who requested a WTCHP application had follow-up from TRP staff, which typically included 4-6 interactions per enrollee until outreach was completed. Findings As of 12/31/2015, the vendor had reached 8,778 (38 percent) of the targeted sample. TRP staff spoke to 6,016 (68 percent) enrollees reached by the vendor, 5,554 (92 percent) of whom requested a WTCHP application, and 2,425 (43 percent) reported having submitted the WTCHP application. Application requests and submissions differed by survivor or responder status, race, income and health symptoms. Originality/value Registries created for surveillance and research among disaster-exposed populations provide a unique and effective outreach approach. A dedicated treatment referral unit within a disaster registry is an effective means for conducting post-disaster outreach to a large, diverse sample of exposed individuals.
ISSN:0965-3562
1758-6100
DOI:10.1108/DPM-01-2018-0026