4. Evaluation of the Needs During an Emergency

4.1. Pre-disaster Health Conditions

Baseline health data may be obtained from local health authorities. Immunization records provide a good source of demographic data. Health workers can provide basic information on what type of health problems were present in the pre-disaster community as well as the areas that are most likely to be affected, such as the most vulnerable households.

Pediatricians can maximize their disaster preparedness by being active in preparing community health plans and taking the lead in helping with community disaster drills. The ideal situation would be for all public and private health care workers to meet periodically to discuss community health problems and practice disaster drills. This would increase their knowledge of the community and its health problems, and would allow for relationships to be built between the public and private sector before a disaster strikes.