Public health emergency response in Japan and the United States

Public Health Emergencies

When it comes to public health, there are two main issues: basic control of general public health concerns, and what takes place during an emergency. The United States and other countries have recently made some changes in how public health emergencies are handled, mostly in response to disasters that have been seen on their home soil or in other areas of the world. A public health emergency can come from a natural disaster, a terrorist act, or in other ways, but being prepared for it is important. It can also be difficult, because it is unpredictable and cannot be accurately planned for in many cases.

Response to Japan Disasters

Japan has experienced its share of public health emergencies in recent years. The tsunami created a massive issue for a significant number of people (CDC, 2011). Additionally, the nuclear radiation that began leaking added fuel to the fire, so to speak, because it caused a further problem with public health. Long-term exposure to this radiation, even at very low levels, can be extremely harmful (Christodouleas, et al., 2011). When there has been a public health emergency of that magnitude, especially when it has been brought about by a natural disaster that has done significant damage and cannot be easily repaired, the risk of being able to care for everyone is very real (DeLia & Wood, 2008; Rajasingham, et al., 2011). Diseases can start running rampant due to a lack of sanitary conditions, and there are not enough medical facilities and treatments for everyone who is injured or sick (DeLia & Wood, 2008).

The recovery in Japan has taken a lot of time, and is actually still not complete. In the hearts and minds of many people who lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their loved ones, the recovery is not something that can ever be completed. It is a part of history, and must remain that way. However, that does not mean that Japan (and the rest of the world) cannot learn from the response that occurred to the natural disaster of the tsunami and the nuclear reactor leak. The more the world is able to understand about what took place, why it happened, and what can be done in the face of similar disasters in the future, the more can be done in order to protect people's future and keep them as safe from harm as possible (CDC, 2011). While it may not be possible to prevent a natural or man-made disaster, the way the aftermath is handled deeply affects a vast number of people when it comes to public health.

FEMA and Public Health Emergencies

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been charged with the duty of protecting and serving the public when both natural and man-made disasters occur (FEMA, 2008). This is very important, because it shows that the U.S. Government is aware that these kinds of public health threats can occur, and that the United States is not immune to them and the damage they could do to ordinary citizens. In order to protect the public as much as possible in the aftermath of these uncommon and unlikely events, public health and medical services need to be provided properly by FEMA. Changes to the agency were made after Hurricane Katrina and the damage it did to the New Orleans area, because the FEMA response time and the agency's ability to help a large number of people were both heavily criticized.

The at risk population mentioned in the preceding section is one of the groups that FEMA has plans to help, because many of the people in that group are unable to help themselves (Brandt & Gardner, 2000; FEMA, 2008). With that in mind, FEMA must assess the types of medical and functional needs that group may have, in order to provide the appropriate response to these individuals, their families, and even their pets. Companion animals and service animals are important to many people with medical needs, and ensuring that these animals are also protected and cared for can be vital to the health of the individuals who are in the at risk population (FEMA, 2008). By meeting the needs of these animals, FEMA also meets more of the needs of the individuals who have the animals in order to treat or address a medical or mental health condition.