Disaster response is an essential element in order to ensure the health of the population. However, there are strong differences in how disaster responses are organized. The onset of the event directly influences the actions taken by public health departments. According to the World Health Organization (2013) “slow-onset events include deteriorating situations where the public health risk may increase over time” (p. 13). In contrast, rapid onset (or sudden onset) happens immediately, as there is an immediate need to prevent the illness from spreading.
The actions take by the department of public health may not be immediately visible when handling a slow-onset illness or disease (World Health Organization, 2013). In contrast, handling a public disaster that is a rapid onset is usually visible (United States Department of Health & Human Services, 2013). Although there is some discretion depending on the type of emergency, there is usually some type of rapid notification system in place allowing, informing individuals of what to look for and how to receive treatment. In responding to a rapid onset situation, public health departments are generally looking to stop the spread of the illness (or disease) and to treat (if possible) individuals that are currently suffering from the illness. In dealing with a slow-onset, organizations have additional time to determine the most effective ways to treat and prevent the illness.
Another element that differentiates slow response disasters from rapid response disasters is the amount of funding given to the issue (Watson, Gayer & Conolly, 2007). In rapid onset disasters, the funding is present immediately. In contrast, slow response disasters are generally funded over time, in hopes of finding a cure. These differences are in part, attributed to the difference in how the threat level is perceived. As a whole, slow onset illnesses or emergencies allow public health organizations more time to get the situation under control (World Health Organization, 2013).
- Emergency Response Framework (2013) Retrieved from: www.who.int
- Mass Casualty and Mass Effect Incidents: Implications for Healthcare Organizations (2013) Retrieved from: https://www.phe.gov/
- Watson J.T., Gayer M., Connolly M.A., (2007) Epidemics after Natural Disasters. Emergency Infectious Disease 13 (1) 1-5.
