Public Health Emergency Preparedness: How to Protect Your Community

Proactive public health measures and community involvement help safeguard communities during public health emergencies. This blog explores the emergency management cycle, which includes emergency preparedness and response to public health emergencies. Preparedness involves planning and training before an emergency strikes, while response encompasses the actions taken during an event.

Natural disasters like hurricanes, heatwaves and wildfires, and zoonotic infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and the H5N1 virus are becoming more frequent, in part because of climate change. This blog will explore building community resilience in the face of public health threats. We'll also explore the role of epidemiologists in preventing and managing public health emergencies, with expert insights provided by Dr. Tara C. Smith, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology at the Kent State University College of Public Health.

A public health emergency is a complex situation impacting health systems across geographic areas, ranging from local incidents to global crises. Emergencies can arise from recognized public health threats or acute events. Triggers for public health emergencies include chronic and infectious diseases, natural disasters, industrial incidents, warfare or significant policy challenges like the opioid epidemic, necessitating special responses to protect health and safety.^{1, 2}

Recent public health emergencies that will probably be familiar to you illustrate the need for public health professionals working together at all levels of government, from local health departments to the federal Office of Health and Human Services, and with community members and nonprofit organizations to effectively respond to public health threats.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 7 million deaths worldwide, with 1.2 million in the U.S. alone. It led to a global economic downturn, including the loss of 23 million jobs in the U.S. during early 2020.^{3, 4}

Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is a persistent public health emergency in the U.S., costing nearly $1.5 trillion in 2020. Exacerbated by the pandemic, the crisis saw record fatalities, with almost 82,000 opioid-related deaths in 2022. The situation continues to drive significant social and economic burdens.^{5, 6}

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires, represent significant public health emergencies. As of November 1, 2024, the U.S. had experienced 24 weather and climate disaster events for the year. Economic losses exceeded $1 billion each, and the disasters caused 418 fatalities. The human and economic toll of these different public health threats underscores the critical need for robust public health preparedness.^{7, 8}

Dr. Tara Smith, a Professor of Epidemiology at Kent State University College of Public Health, is renowned for her work in zoonotic infections and pioneering studies on MRSA in the United States. With extensive experience in infectious diseases, Dr. Smith highlights the collaborative nature of epidemiological responses to public health emergencies.

Epidemiologists play a crucial role in responding to public health emergencies by collecting and analyzing health data to provide situational awareness, inform decision-making, and enhance prevention and mitigation strategies. According to Dr. Smith, "Everything is a team effort. Epidemiologists may be called in to investigate if local public health officials or others suspect an ongoing outbreak." In such situations, epidemiologists will typically investigate exposures the sick people and/or animals may have had to try to determine a source. Their work helps decrease mortality and morbidity during disasters and pandemics while helping communities recover.⁹

Public health epidemiologists focus on population-level disease trends and health interventions, while clinical epidemiologists concentrate on clinical trial design and patient-level data. Both are vital, with public health epidemiologists often leading broader surveillance efforts and clinical epidemiologists focusing on treatment efficacy.¹⁰

Disaster-triggered emergencies, like hurricanes, often require rapid needs assessment and resource allocation, while pandemics involve ongoing surveillance and control of disease spread. Both demand coordinated epidemiological efforts to manage health impacts.¹¹

Smith said, "Sometimes we see organisms that we haven't previously encountered, such as SARS-CoV-2. We knew nothing about that specific virus as of January 2020, but we had a good deal of information on its relatives, including coronaviruses that caused the common cold and those that caused prior outbreaks of SARS and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). That previous information helped inform our response."

The H5N1 virus or "bird flu" making occasional headlines in 2024 falls into the same category of a new virus related to others previously identified. "So again, a mix of new and old. This mix is generally the most common scenario, but sometimes we encounter totally new organisms." Smith also mentioned the organism that causes Lyme disease, which surfaced in the 1970s, and some other tick-borne viruses and pulmonary hantaviruses that emerged in the Four Corners region of the Southwest in 1993. "We're always learning new information and adapting old findings," she concluded.

Whatever the cause of the public health emergency, these are among the ways epidemiologists support public health responses:

• Surveillance: Monitor disease patterns and emerging threats to guide public health responses¹² 
• Data Analysis: Assess health data to identify trends and inform policy
• Rapid Needs Assessment: Evaluate immediate health impacts and resource requirements
• Outbreak Investigation: Identify sources and control measures for disease outbreaks
• Program Evaluation: Analyze intervention effectiveness to improve future responses

Epidemiologists play a role in all phases of managing public health emergencies, which involve a continuous cycle known as the emergency management cycle, including:

• Mitigation: Activities and policies designed to prevent or lessen the effects of an emergency
• Preparedness: Planning and training actions taken before an emergency to ensure readiness
• Response: Immediate actions taken during an emergency to minimize its impact
• Recovery: Efforts to restore services and normal operations after an emergency

Epidemiologists support public health emergency preparedness efforts by analyzing potential hazards, standardizing protocols, and conducting training drills. They help develop response plans by using data to identify vulnerable populations and possible threats, ensuring communities are ready to act swiftly.¹³

During the response phase, epidemiologists provide critical data analysis and surveillance to guide decision-making. They assist in coordinating first responders and evaluating interventions' effectiveness to improve outcomes.¹

Numerous agencies and groups, including local health departments, healthcare providers, and emergency management agencies, collaborate to ensure effective emergency preparedness and response. Dr. Smith highlighted the importance of coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, saying, "Everything is a team effort."

Community involvement in public health preparedness is crucial both practically and ethically. Aligning strategies with local values and needs by engaging community members fosters transparency, trust, and more effective interventions. Community-level education raises awareness and empowers individuals to actively participate in emergency response efforts, enhancing resilience and reducing health risks.

• Inclusive Engagement: Involving diverse community members in planning and decision-making processes strengthens public health preparedness capabilities¹³ 
• Cultural Relevance: Tailor education materials to be culturally appropriate and accessible¹⁴
• Skill Development: Offer training on emergency response skills and health literacy
• Continuous Communication: Maintain open channels for feedback and information exchange
• Collaborative Partnerships: Build alliances with local organizations for sustained community support in countering public health threats

Environmental conditions, including population growth and climate change, are increasing threats to population health by increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic, a zoonotic disease, highlighted their potential to cause global health emergencies. Zoonotic diseases are infections transmitted between animals and humans, and their prevalence is rising as climate change drives extreme weather and resource scarcity.

Dr. Smith notes that droughts and floods force humans and animals into closer contact and increase the risk of zoonotic disease spread. She adds, "Refugees from climate extremes or the civil unrest that may result may need to move from place to place, sometimes bringing animals with them." Such migrations can expose new populations and further exacerbate the risks of zoonotic diseases. Understanding and addressing these environmental and social factors is crucial for preventing future zoonotic outbreaks.¹⁵

Epidemiologists are integral to public health emergency and preparedness, playing lead roles throughout the public health emergency management cycle. They conduct health surveillance, analyze data, and guide emergency responses and public health policies. Whether you're more interested in the online Master of Public Health in Epidemiology or the online Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology, the Kent State College of Health will enhance your career with the skills you need to become a force for improved public health. Learn from experts at the forefront of health research and policy in programs emphasizing leadership, equity, and innovation. Connect with an admissions outreach advisor for more details on how Kent State can support your aspirations in public health.