Discussion Paper

Advancing United States-Based Child and Family Reunification Disaster Science

by Jenna Ogilvie | Dec 9, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

Introduction Family reunification, the process of bringing members of a family, specifically children, back together after an event, is an essential component of disaster preparedness and management. Natural and mass casualty (no-notice) disasters can strike at any...

Emissions Disclosures and Energy Use Reporting by Hospitals in the United States

by Talia Lewis | Nov 15, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

ABSTRACT | The health sector accounts for approximately 8.5 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions, and hospital care makes up the greatest portion of the sector’s emissions. As the impacts of climate change intensify, it is imperative that the health sector reduces...

Using DNA to Reunify Families Separated by Disasters

by Jenna Ogilvie | Oct 14, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

  ABSTRACT | In the aftermath of disasters, prompt and safe family reunification is crucial, especially for pre-verbal children separated from their families. Settings may remain unsafe in the aftermath of disasters, and without the application of technology,...

Tenth Annual DC Public Health Case Challenge: A Public Health Approach to Improve the Health of Women Experiencing Homelessness in DC

by Jenna Ogilvie | Sep 30, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

  This discussion paper provides an overview of the tenth annual District of Columbia (DC) Public Health Case Challenge (see https://nam.edu/initiatives/dc-public-health-case-challenge/ [accessed March 20, 2024]), a student competition held in 2023 by the...

Opportunities for Strengthening Climate Education for Clinical Health Professionals

by Jenna Ogilvie | Sep 23, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

  ABSTRACT | As we bear witness to increasing disease, injury, disruption, and displacement from a changing climate, health professional education is finally coalescing around the imperative to upgrade training programs to address this health threat. There...

Pediatric Disaster Science: Understanding Needs, Highlighting Imperatives, and Leveraging Opportunities

by Jenna Ogilvie | Sep 23, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

  ABSTRACT | The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Symposium on Pediatric Disaster Science, which was led by the Action Collaborative for Disaster Research, was held August 1st and 2nd, 2022, in Washington, DC. The meeting convened...

Streamlining Regulatory Oversight of Respirators Used in Health Care Settings Will Improve Worker Protection

by Talia Lewis | May 13, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

Introduction Respirators used in U.S. health care settings, including disposable filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), full face respirators, reusable elastomeric half mask respirators (EHMRs), and powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), must be approved by the...

Lessons for Public Health Excellence from the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Perspective from New York City

by Madeleine Deye | Feb 5, 2024 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health leadership in New York City and their response to the emerging pandemic were in the public eye. Immediately, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) and other local health...

How Health Care Organizations Can Use the Inflation Reduction Act to Reduce Costs, Enhance Resilience, and Lower Their Environmental Footprint

by Jenna Ogilvie | Nov 29, 2023 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

    Introduction Health care organizations are grappling with myriad challenges—including mounting labor pressures, inflation, and a shifting payor landscape—that demand immediate attention. However, as pressing as these concerns may be, the imperative to...

Crossing the Decarbonization Chasm: A Call to Action for Hospital and Health System Leaders to Reduce Their Greenhouse Gas Emissions

by Jenna Ogilvie | Nov 29, 2023 | Discussion Paper, Perspectives

Introduction Human activity is warming the climate in unprecedented ways. Climate change is intensifying existing health problems and leading to the emergence of new health threats (Romanello et al., 2023). These impacts include increased respiratory and...