Disaster Planning for Public Health: Extreme Heat Events (EHEs)
Select a potential natural or man-made disaster that could happen in your community. Then, write a 3- to 4-page paper about the disaster from the community nurse's perspective.
Section 1: The Disaster, Man-Made or Natural
• What disasters may strike your community and why? For example, do you live in "Tornado Alley, or has climate change resulted in unusual cold weather snaps or blizzards in your community? Are you located in a flood plain? Include possible diseases that may result from a natural disaster, such as tetanus or cholera.
Section 2: The Nursing Response
• Formulate responses to the disaster, considering systems and community levels of intervention.
• Review websites where a disaster plan may be available for the public, or if one is not currently available, call public health department to see if a disaster plan exists for your community and what the plan contains.
• In addition to reviewing websites for information about your local disaster plan, you will need to locate best practice/evidence-based practice guidelines in professional literature to determine whether your community's disaster plan is as sound as it might be or if there is room for improvement.
Section 3: Is My Community Prepared for a Disaster?
• What conclusions can you draw about your community's preparedness plan from having completed this evaluation?
For this Assignment, review the following:
• Writing resources tab
• Walden paper template found in the Writing Resources tab (no abstract or running head required)
• Week 5 Assignment Rubric
Disaster Planning for Public Health
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Institutional Affiliations
Course Name and Number
Due Date
Disaster Planning for Public Health
EHEs Natural Disasters
Phoenix Maricopa County, Arizona, is vulnerable to extreme heat events (EHEs) because of its proximity to the Sonoran Desert. Clark et al. (2019) indicate that this district has a desert-like climate characterized by low humidity and annual rainfall. The authors also argue that the daytime temperatures can rise as high as 50 degrees during the summer, with an average of approximately 41 degrees. Such high-temperature valuations illustrate that Phoenix remains at heightened risk of experiencing EHE as a natural disaster. Statistics reveal that head has concerning ramifications considering that even in the absence of EHEs, the county records up to 80 people dying from health-associated effects, and over 800 others become hospitalized (Clark et al., 2019). Considering that homelessness is another issue of concern in downtown Phoenix, the possibility of EHEs increases the vulnerability of the affected population due to the associated health complications, including heat strokes, dehydration, respiratory ailments, and cardiovascular conditions, among many other issues. Such widespread health ramifications highlight the need for healthcare providers, including nurses, to remain alert and prepared with appropriate disaster response plans to combat EHEs and their health consequences in Phoenix when they occur.
The Nursing Response
The Phoenix authorities recognize the impact of climate change on the frequency of EHEs in the district and its impact on the locals. These stakeholders have published a Heat Action Plan on the city’s website with specific goals for addressing this menace. According to the City of Phoenix (2021), the elaborate response measures ensure that the state government applies appropriate measures to caution all individuals, including the most vulnerable groups, such as the homeless. The presence of an annually updated plan has led to the implementation of widespread programs focusing on respite, water, and wellness monitoring. Such progress has enabled residents to withstand more than 110