Pediatric Disaster Science Series
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) held the , led by the Action Collaborative for Disaster Research, on August 1st and 2nd, 2022, in Washington, DC.
The meeting convened a broad representation of subject matter experts, including federal and nonfederal partners, with the goal of presenting the scope of perspectives, information, and scientific needs related to disasters affecting children. Meeting goals were achieved through formal presentations and facilitated discussions that identified high level pediatric disaster research priorities, opportunities for synergistic scientific efforts, and considerations and strategies to effectively advance pediatric disaster science to improve outcomes for children in disasters.
The Symposium created a collection of works as a compilation of perspectives, ideas, and discussions shared, with follow-on considerations for the field. Associated articles in this Symposium collection of works were submitted after the meeting by experts in the field; these pieces augment some of the themes and key concepts identified throughout the Symposium.
Pediatric Disaster Science: Understanding Needs, Highlighting Imperatives, and Leveraging Opportunities
The first discussion paper in the series has 3 parts:
- Part 1 focuses on pediatric disaster science throughout the disaster cycle;
- Part 2 addresses the scope of translational science in pediatric disaster management; and
- Part 3 addresses opportunities for building the infrastructure and workforce to support current and future pediatric disaster science efforts.
Planning for Children in Disasters: Education and Strategies for the Best Outcomes
This commentary explores ongoing efforts to improve pediatric disaster readiness. Three means to improve readiness are education, strategies that promote disaster preparedness across the continuum of care, and community engagement. It will also highlight opportunities to close gaps and improve outcomes when communities and children are impacted by disasters.
Pediatric Health Care Provision in Rural Oklahoma: A Disaster in Waiting
Pediatric health care in rural Oklahoma faces significant challenges, leaving communities vulnerable during disasters. This commentary reviews the barriers and potential solutions to improving pediatric readiness.
Providing Effective Support to All Children in the Aftermath of Disasters: A Persistent Gap in Research, Policy, and Practice
Supporting children after disasters goes beyond treating mental illness. This commentary explores the need for universal support to promote coping and resilience.
Three Strategies to Strengthen Child Disaster Research
Addressing the intersection between climate-related disasters and children鈥檚 vulnerability requires a strong research pipeline, as well as the expertise of multiple fields (e.g., psychology, public health, engineering, and planning). This commentary highlights three ways to strengthen the child disaster research pipeline.
Using DNA to Reunify Families Separated by Disasters
In the aftermath of disasters, prompt and safe family reunification is crucial, especially for pre-verbal children separated from their families. Careful planning to build partnerships and infrastructure and to address ethical considerations is essential to mitigate these risks, ensuring that DNA-led reunification protocols uphold the best interests of children and families.
