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Review
. 2017 Dec;23(13):S196-S202.
doi: 10.3201/eid2313.170473.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Response to Humanitarian Emergencies, 2007-2016

Andrew T Boyd, Susan T Cookson, Mark Anderson, Oleg O Bilukha, Muireann Brennan, Thomas Handzel, Colleen Hardy, Farah Husain, Barbara Lopes Cardozo, Carlos Navarro Colorado, Cyrus Shahpar, Leisel Talley, Michael Toole, Michael Gerber
Review

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Response to Humanitarian Emergencies, 2007-2016

Andrew T Boyd et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Humanitarian emergencies, including complex emergencies associated with fragile states or areas of conflict, affect millions of persons worldwide. Such emergencies threaten global health security and have complicated but predictable effects on public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Response and Recovery Branch (ERRB) (Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health) contributes to public health emergency responses by providing epidemiologic support for humanitarian health interventions. To capture the extent of this emergency response work for the past decade, we conducted a retrospective review of ERRB's responses during 2007-2016. Responses were conducted across the world and in collaboration with national and international partners. Lessons from this work include the need to develop epidemiologic tools for use in resource-limited contexts, build local capacity for response and health systems recovery, and adapt responses to changing public health threats in fragile states. Through ERRB's multisector expertise and ability to respond quickly, CDC guides humanitarian response to protect emergency-affected populations.

Keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; complex emergencies; emergency response; epidemiology; global health security; humanitarian emergencies; population displacement; public health; refugees.

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