As natural and human-caused emergencies increase, the nation works to address the reality that emergencies do not discriminate in terms of impacted populations. Using the social determinants of health, it is possible to predict which populations are less likely to be prepared to effectively respond to, cope with, and recover from an emergency based on preexisting vulnerabilities. Examples of pre-emergency vulnerabilities that align with the social determinants of health include availability of resources to meet daily needs, access to healthcare services, transportation options, socioeconomic conditions, etc. Research studies published after Hurricane Sandy underscore the reality that pre-emergency vulnerabilities translate into post-emergency recovery challenges for at-risk individuals. For example, emergency departments saw increased numbers of older adults requiring dialysis, experiencing electrolyte disorders, and needing prescription refills after Hurricane Sandy.

To learn more and see the entire toolkit click the link below:

Capacity-Building Toolkit for including Aging & Disability Networks in Emergency Planning