A decision process for determining whether to conduct responder health research following large disasters

Authors

  • John A. Decker, MS
  • Max Kiefer, MS
  • Dori B. Reissman, MD, MPH
  • Renée Funk DVM, MPH
  • John Halpin, MD, MPH
  • Bruce Bernard, MD, MPH
  • Richard L. Ehrenberg, MD
  • Christine R. Schuler, PhD
  • Elizabeth Whelan, PhD
  • Kyle Myers, MS
  • John Howard, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2013.0108

Keywords:

disaster research, responder research, postdisaster research, surveillance, health monitoring

Abstract

Disasters often set the stage for scientific inquiry within the field of occupational safety and health. This is especially true when the long-term consequences of exposures associated with a particular disaster are unclear. However, a responder research study can be costly and difficult to design, and researchers must consider whether the proposed study will produce useful, reliable results and is a prudent public health investment.
The decision process can be segregated into various components, including scientific rationale that should be formally recognized as critical to efficiently and effectively determine whether a research study is warranted. The scientific rationale includes certain controlling or “gatekeeper” factors that should be present to proceed with research.

Author Biographies

John A. Decker, MS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Atlanta, Georgia.

Max Kiefer, MS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Denver, Colorado.

Dori B. Reissman, MD, MPH

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.

Renée Funk DVM, MPH

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Atlanta, Georgia.

John Halpin, MD, MPH

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Atlanta, Georgia.

Bruce Bernard, MD, MPH

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Richard L. Ehrenberg, MD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Atlanta, Georgia.

Christine R. Schuler, PhD

for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Elizabeth Whelan, PhD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kyle Myers, MS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Atlanta, Georgia.

John Howard, MD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.

References

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Government Accountability Office: September 11: HHS needs to develop a plan that incorporates lessons from the responder health programs. GAO-08-610, May 2008. Available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08610.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2013.

Kitt MM, Decker JA, Delaney L, et al.: Protecting workers in large-scale emergency responses. JOEM. 2011; 53(7): 711-715.

Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, National Biodefense Safety Board: Call to Action: Include Scientific Investigations as an Integral Component of Disaster Planning and Response. Available at http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/boards/nbsb/Documents/nbsbrec14.pdf. Accessed January 22, 2013.

National Response Team: Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance Document, January 26, 2012.Available at http://nrt.sraprod.com/ERHMS/. Accessed January 23, 2013.

Protection of Human Subjects, 45 Code of Federal Regulations, part 46.

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Department of Homeland Security: Office for Domestic Preparedness, National Preparedness Guidelines, 2007. Available at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/National_Preparedness_Guidelines.pdf. Accessed January, 23, 2013.

NIOSH Emergency Preparedness Program Goals: Available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/epr/goals.html. Accessed January 23, 2013.

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Published

01/01/2013

How to Cite

Decker, MS, J. A., M. Kiefer, MS, D. B. Reissman, MD, MPH, R. Funk DVM, MPH, J. Halpin, MD, MPH, B. Bernard, MD, MPH, R. L. Ehrenberg, MD, C. R. Schuler, PhD, E. Whelan, PhD, K. Myers, MS, and J. Howard, MD. “A Decision Process for Determining Whether to Conduct Responder Health Research Following Large Disasters”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 8, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 25-33, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2013.0108.

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2013): Winter

Section

Articles

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