Health Geography and Public Health

Defining, Describing, and Categorizing Public Health Infrastructure Priorities for Tropical Cyclone, Flood, Storm, Tornado, and Tsunami-Related Disasters

“…59,62 Hygiene included practices used for infection control, and refrigeration ensured medicines and food were stored at appropriate temperatures. 46,58,60,61,64,65 Water pumps were identified as having a range of uses and were required to ensure water could be transported (for example, from a rainwater tank to the tap). 32,58 More generally, equipment was found to allow patients to be treated and ensure hygiene standards were maintained.…”

“…56,59,60,63 Governance Governance was described as agreements, command, control and coordination (leadership), planning (business continuity and policy), disaster system, finance and funding, and laws (enforcement and administration). 23,35,36,[44][45][46]48,51,53,59,63,64,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72] Agreements referred to arrangements and partnerships in place between agencies and organizations to prepare and respond to a disaster. 46,67 Command, control, and coordination was described as the systems and processes used to prevent duplication of activities and enhance efficiency of available resources (for example, military support).…”

“…46,67 Command, control, and coordination was described as the systems and processes used to prevent duplication of activities and enhance efficiency of available resources (for example, military support). 36,44,48,51,64,[66][67][68] Planning referred to preparations undertaken for disasters, including elements of the disaster system (for example, emergency management committee) and policy development. 40,46,53,63,67,69,72 Finance and funding referred to commodities and accessing funds required to ensure appropriate activities before, during, and after a disaster.…”

“…gather information, enforce standards, maintain hospital safety, and ensure accurate record keeping. 31,44,45,54,63,64,68,71 Physical Structure…”

“…Physical structure was categorized as buildings, storage facilities, health facilities, shelters, and general infrastructure. 23,25,28,29,32,41,44,45,48,49,56,58,61,62,64,66,69,[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] Buildings included accommodation and more generally shelters used to protect people from the elements. 28,71,74 Storage facilities included sites used to house goods, supplies, and equipment.…”