Crisis in Chile: Public Health Experts
Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health has a number of faculty members with expertise relevant to the recent devastating Earthquake in Chile:
Coordination
Coordination of response in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is an obvious challenge. Mailman faculty can discuss how to ensure clinical and scientific expertise is available to support key ‘on the ground’ priorities.
Experts: Ron Waldman, Neil Boothby, Richard Garfield, and Irwin Redlener
Public Health Priorities
Reducing the potential for excess deaths due to earthquake-related risks is always an immediate public health priority. The success of efforts will depend on the ability of the international community to support Chile in employing a competent workforce to operate robust public health systems.
Experts: Neil Boothby and Richard Garfield
Do No Harm
Local resources and capability will be the basis of longer term recovery. It is important to develop guidelines to ensure that all interventions to address mental health and psychosocial support are being used to by all involved.
Experts: Mike Wessells and Alastair Ager
Vulnerability of Children and Family Unity
Children are particularly vulnerable to the health and social consequences of large-scale disasters. Safeguarding the well being, assuring long-term survival, and maintaining family unity are major public health challenges in the aftermath of humanitarian crises and major disasters.
Experts: Neil Boothby and Irwin Redlener
Long-term Mental Health Needs
The Chile earthquake has disrupted the care and treatment of those with major existing psychiatric illnesses, making them among the most vulnerable. In the short term, provision of practical and social supports will be crucial in mitigating the psychological consequences of the disasters. In the longer-term, significant efforts to identify those in the population with enduring mental health needs will be needed.
Expert: Sandro Galea
To schedule an interview with one of the Mailman School experts, please contact Stephanie Berger at 212-305-4372, sb2247@columbia.edu.