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. 2020 Apr;14(2):163-167.
doi: 10.1017/dmp.2019.41. Epub 2019 Jul 4.

Engaging Local Health Departments in Disaster Research: A Washington State Survey

Ali Everhart  1 , Resham Patel  2 , Nicole A Errett  1
Affiliations

Engaging Local Health Departments in Disaster Research: A Washington State Survey

Ali Everhart et al. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Disaster research can inform effective, efficient, and evidence-based public health practices and decision making; identify and address knowledge gaps in current disaster preparedness and response efforts; and evaluate disaster response strategies. This study aimed to identify challenges and opportunities experienced by Washington State local health departments (LHDs) regarding engagement in disaster research activities.

Methods: An online survey was disseminated to the emergency preparedness representative for the 35 LHDs in Washington State. Survey questions sought to assess familiarity and experience with disaster research, as well as identify facilitators and barriers to their involvement. The survey was first piloted with 7 local and state public health emergency preparedness practitioners.

Results: A total of 82.9% of Washington's 35 LHDs responded to our survey. Only 17.2% of respondents had previous experience with disaster research. Frequently reported barriers to engaging in disaster research included funding availability, competing everyday priorities, staff capacity, and competing priorities during disaster response.

Conclusions: These findings can inform efforts to support disaster research partnerships with Washington State LHDs and facilitate future collaboration. Researchers and public health practitioners should develop relationships and work to incorporate disaster research into LHD planning, training, and exercises to foster practice-based disaster research capacity.

Keywords: disaster research response; local health departments; public health preparedness.

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References

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    1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. NIH Disaster Research Response Workshop Report. NIH Disaster Research Response (DR2) Web site. https://dr2.nlm.nih.gov/training-exercises. Published July 19, 2016. Accessed July 1, 2018.
    1. NORC at the University of Chicago. Final Report: Practice-Based Needs and Research Questions Related to Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities. Published August 2015. Accessed January 28, 2018.

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