Address correspondence to: Gilbert A. Nick, BA, Center for Public Health Preparedness, Division of Public Health Practice, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, Phone: 617-495-7830, Fax: 617-998-8849, ; Email: ude.dravrah.hpsh@kcing
EEf

af
The Effects on the Population Regarding Emergency Responders & Preparedness
Copyright © 2009 Association of Schools of Public Health wAA Emergency preparedness planning affects those people of the population that are vulnerable during emergency situations. According to the National Council on Disability, these individuals that have social, physical, and are a part of struggling economic population groups are more likely to be stranded while awaiting evacuation assistance, are more likely to be refused shelter by unprepared organizations, and or experience difficulties in accessing emergency services due to preexisting health conditions or vulnerabilities. It is important that individuals that are more vulnerable have a set plan in place when tragedies happen they are protected and taken care of. The health community has made attempts to address this problem and few investigations have been done in an attempt to gain an integrated perspective and unified approach when addressing the challenges that local emergency responders face when at risk individuals and the vulnerable
Those who are qualified “at-risk individuals,” “vulnerable populations,” and “special-needs populations;” are used according to Trust for America's Health, to characterize groups whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional health and social-service providers. These groups often include people who are elderly or young, have limited or no English proficiency, experience geographic or cultural isolation, or suffer from addiction. Iowa Public Health Preparedness Program and Emergency planning for people with