Assessing the Current State of USA-Based Disaster Medicine Fellowships.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the current landscape of USA-based disaster medicine (DM) programs through the lens of alumni and program directors (PDs). The data obtained from this study will provide valuable information to future learners as they ponder careers in disaster medicine and allow PDs to refine curricular offerings.

Methods: Two separate surveys were sent to USA-based DM program directors and alumni.

Analysis of Disparities in the Initial Health Care Response to the February 2023 Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Objectives: This study analyzes disparities in initial health care responses in Turkey and Syria following the 2023 earthquakes.

Methods: Using Humanitarian Data Exchange, Crude Mortality Rates (CMR) and injury rates in both countries were calculated, and temporal trends of death tolls and injuries in the first month post- catastrophe were compared. World Health Organization (WHO) Flash Appeal estimated funding requirements, and ratios of humanitarian aid personnel in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams per population from ReliefWeb and MAPACTION data were used to gauge disparities.

Care during conflicts: Emergency support systems in Oceania.

Objective: The present study analyses Oceania's protest and conflict events (2021-2022) to aid healthcare systems better understand the scope of the issue.

Methods: Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data database were examined for event types and fatalities.

Results: A total of 2743 events were recorded, mainly protests (83.

Seasons of smoke and fire: preparing health systems for improved performance before, during, and after wildfires.

Increased frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfires are intensifying exposure to direct and smoke-related hazards in many areas, leading to evacuation and smoke-related effects on health and health systems that can affect regions extending over thousands of kilometres. Effective preparation and response are currently hampered by inadequate training, continued siloing of disciplines, insufficient finance, and inadequate coordination between health systems and governance at municipal, regional, national, and international levels. This Review highlights the key health and health systems considerations before, during, and after wildfires, and outlines how a health system should respond to optimise population health outcomes now and into the future.

Integrating Disaster and Dignitary Medicine Principles into a Medical Framework for Organizational Travel Health and Security Planning.

This Editorial explores organizational travel risk management and advocates for a comprehensive approach to fortify health security for travelers, emphasizing proactive risk management, robust assessments, and strategic planning. Leveraging insights from very important persons (VIP) protocols, organizations can enhance duty of care and ensure personnel safety amidst global travel complexities.

Worldwide Trends in COVID-19-Related Attacks Against Healthcare: A Review of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition Database.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, violence targeting healthcare reportedly increased. Attacks against healthcare can severely hamper the public health response during a pandemic. Descriptive data analysis of these attacks may be helpful to develop prevention and mitigation strategies.

Pediatric disaster preparedness curriculum across emergency medicine residencies.

Objective: To assess pediatric disaster medicine (PDM) instruction in emergency medicine (EM) residency programs and to identify barriers to integrating these skills into EM training.

Methods: National survey study of United States EM Residency Program Directors (PDs) and Assistant PDs during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Results: Of the 186 EM residency programs identified, a total of 24 responses were recorded with a response rate of 12.

Mass Gathering Event Medical Preparedness and Response: A Review of Canadian Legislation and Guidelines.

Introduction: The mass gathering event (MGE) industry is growing globally, including in countries such as Canada. MGEs have been associated with a greater prevalence of injury and illness when compared with daily life events, despite most participants having few comorbidities. As such, adequate health, safety, and emergency medical planning is required.

Determining the Impact of Hurricane Dorian and the Covid-19 Pandemic on Moral Distress in Emergency Medical Providers at the Rand Memorial Hospital: Moral distress in emergency medical personnel.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to determine the impact of Moral Distress (MD) in emergency physicians, nurses, and emergency medical service staff at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH) in the Bahamas, and the impact of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic on Moral Distress.

Method: A cross-sectional study utilizing a 3-part survey, which collected sociodemographic information, Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 experiences, as well as responses to a validated modified Moral Distress Scale (MDS).

Results: Participants with 2 negatively impactful experiences from COVID-19 had statistically significantly increased MD compared to participants with only 1 negatively impactful experience (40.

Natural disasters: a comprehensive study using EMDAT database 1995-2022.

Introduction: The frequency, intensity, and geographical reach of natural disasters, fueled in part by factors such as climate change, population growth, and urbanization, have undeniably been escalating concerns around the world.

Design And Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of natural disasters recorded in the Emergency Events Database from 1995 to 2022.

Results: Between 1995 and 2022, 11,360 natural disasters occurred, with a mean of 398 per year.

Attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities during the first year of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Background: Although the Geneva Conventions and Rome Statute demand protections for healthcare facilities during war, breaches of these protections are frequently reported. The ongoing war in Ukraine is no exception, with several healthcare attacks eliciting widespread condemnation. The Ukrainian Healthcare Center (UHC) has been collecting, verifying and documenting attacks on health infrastructure since the Russia-Ukraine War was launched.

Syndromic Surveillance Implementation During Disaster Events.

Introduction: Disease surveillance is an integral part of public health. These systems monitor disease trends and detect outbreaks, whereas they should be evaluated for efficacy. The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention publish Guidelines for Evaluating Surveillance Systems to encourage efficient and effective use of public health surveillance that are accepted worldwide.

The 2023 Model Core Content of Disaster Medicine.

Introduction: Disaster Medicine (DM) is the clinical specialty whose expertise includes the care and management of patients and populations outside conventional care protocols. While traditional standards of care assume the availability of adequate resources, DM practitioners operate in situations where resources are not adequate, necessitating a modification in practice. While prior academic efforts have succeeded in developing a list of core disaster competencies for emergency medicine residency programs, international fellowships, and affiliated health care providers, no official standardized curriculum or consensus has yet been published to date for DM fellowship programs based in the United States.

Disasters in the Northern Triangle: A Descriptive Analysis Using the EM-DAT Database 1902-2022.

Introduction: Since 1902, disasters in the Northern Triangle of Central America, which consists of the countries Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, have caused over one-hundred-thousand deaths, affected millions of people, and caused tens of billions of dollars in damages. Understanding the nature and frequency of these events will allow stakeholders to decrease both the acute damages and the long-term deleterious consequences of disasters.

Study Objective: This study provides a descriptive analysis of all disasters recorded in the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) affecting Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador from 1902-2022.