eprintid: 6993
rev_number: 4
userid: 6
dir: disk0/00/00/69/93
datestamp: 2011-11-10 19:35:48
lastmod: 2016-11-15 13:39:31
status_changed: 2011-11-10 19:35:48
type: thesis_degree
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: ajr23@pitt.edu, angierusso@verizon.net
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Russo, Angela Jean
creators_email: ajr23@pitt.edu, angierusso@verizon.net
creators_id: AJR23
title: A REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ROLES IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY DISASTERS AND THE RATIONALE FOR EFFECTIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIONS
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_gsph_behavioralcommhealthsci
full_text_status: public
keywords: public health and mental health roles in disaster
abstract: Disasters vary in scope, size, and cause. Relevant public health aspects of disasters include community impact and the response of health professionals to alleviate stress and dangerous conditions surrounding the disaster. Public health focuses on the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. Disaster preparedness and response are significant areas in the field of public health. Disasters pose threats to the general public through increases in injury, death, and changes in infrastructure. The public health response to disaster includes assessments of the community impact, surveillance for disease, addressing sanitary health concerns, and providing information to the public. Mental health professionals also have important roles in responding to disaster in the community. In addition to physical aspects, disasters also may pose psychological risks to individuals and to the effected community. These risks may include stress, anxiety, and depression. Mental health workers provide counseling, support, and education to assist people affected by disaster in returning to their pre-disaster level of functioning. Traditionally there has been a separation between the disciplines of public health and mental health. Public health is population-based and mental health has been traditionally regarded being more individually based. During a disastrous event communication and organization among agencies is critical to an effective response. Increased collaborations between public health and mental health are needed to facilitate an appropriate and effective disaster response. Both areas aim to improve overall health and well being, and therefore are inter-related. Each discipline needs to become more familiar with the nature of each other's work. Overall increases in public and mental health research, planning, training, and education programs are needed to understand and appreciate both the public health and mental health consequences of disaster and to improve community participation and preparedness.
date: 2006-06-07
date_type: completed
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etdcommittee_type: committee_chair
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_name: Cairns, Gail S
etdcommittee_name: Ricci, Edmund M
etdcommittee_name: Marx, John
etdcommittee_email: cairnsg@edc.pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: emricci@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: jmarx@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_id: 
etdcommittee_id: EMRICCI
etdcommittee_id: JMARX
etd_defense_date: 2006-04-11
etd_approval_date: 2006-06-07
etd_submission_date: 2006-04-11
etd_access_restriction: immediate
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
assigned_doi: doi:10.5195/pitt.etd.2011.6993
thesis_type: thesis
degree: MPH
committee: Gail S. Cairns, MA, MPH (cairnsg@edc.pitt.edu) - Committee Chair
committee: Edmund M. Ricci, PhD, MLitt (emricci@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
committee: John Marx, MA, PhD (jmarx@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
etdurn: etd-04112006-153710
other_id: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04112006-153710/
other_id: etd-04112006-153710
citation:   Russo, Angela Jean  (2006) A REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ROLES IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY DISASTERS AND THE RATIONALE FOR EFFECTIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIONS.  Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)  
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/6993/1/RussoA_060206.pdf