Integration of Social Determinants of Community Preparedness and Resiliency in 21st Century Emergency Management Planning

The United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently adopted a "whole of community" approach in its strategic planning and response to catastrophic events. However, most traditional emergency preparedness models and practices do n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Homeland security affairs 2012-01, Vol.8 (1)
Main Authors: Biedrzycki, Paul A, Koltun, Raisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Criminal statistics
Disasters
Disease control
Economic conditions
Emergency preparedness
Government agencies
National security
Oil spills
Socioeconomic factors
Swine flu
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Summary:The United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently adopted a "whole of community" approach in its strategic planning and response to catastrophic events. However, most traditional emergency preparedness models and practices do not sufficiently consider underlying social conditions and dynamics that are not only predictive of population health but also of behaviors that potentially influence the community resiliency. This is not limited to consideration of public social cohesiveness, health equity, economic conditions, and political capital. These and other "social determinants of community preparedness and resiliency" must thoughtfully be considered in all aspects of emergency management planning in the coming decades. Deeper understanding of community social and economic dynamics will allow for better coordination with other emerging federal agency initiatives and policies. This entails refocusing on language, culture, socio-economic, geographic, and community status to attain true "whole of community" engagement. Errata: Note 1 corrected August 14, 2012 to read: Barack Obama, Presidential Policy Directive/PPD-8: National Preparedness. (Washington, DC: US Department of Homeland Security, March 30, 2011), http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/laws/gc_1215444247124.shtm.
ISSN:1558-643X