Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic health care, public health, first responders, and other essential workers have been engaged in the most extensive emergency response in more than a century, whilst trust in science has been eroded and public health has been politicized. Against this context, the authors in this collection assess the potential mental health impacts, widening disparities, and needed interventions for future resilience of the public health workforce. What actions can be taken now to ensure more resilient systems post-pandemic?

Focusing on the impacts of the pandemic on responder health across health care, public health, emergency management, and more, the chapters, written by experts in the field, provide an overview of the mental health impacts of disasters and emergencies on responders more broadly, and also highlight the inequitable impacts of the response among sectors of the workforce and populations who are socially or physically vulnerable. Closing with recommendations for changes that are needed to address gaps in capacity, COVID-19, Frontline Responders and Mental Health makes a crucial contribution to building the evidence base and disseminating best practices to ensure recommendations become standard practices in the future.

Realizing the harsh potential realities such as a shortage of qualified workers and questions around funding and workforce development needed to ensure preparedness for the next public health emergency, this playbook for delivering resilient public health systems post-pandemic provides a timely oversight for future resilience.

About the Author

Jennifer A. Horney is Professor and Founding Director of the Epidemiology Program and Core Faculty at the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware, USA.

Reviews

The impact of this global pandemic on mental wellness has been profound, and the consequences are still emerging. This book captures the direct and indirect psychological sequelae of surviving a collective trauma, along with critical lessons learned for congregant settings like long-term care facilities and prisons.

-- Robin Timme, Psy.D., ABPP (Forensic), CCHP-MH, CCHP-A, Senior Expert & Vice President at Falcon Inc.

Spotlighting the acute and lingering distress that the COVID-19 pandemic has heaped on responders, other essential workers, and the diverse communities they serve, this books make the compelling case as to why public health emergency management systems must demonstrate greater parity between mental health and physical health going forward.

-- Monica Schoch-Spana, PhD Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Senior Scientist, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.



Book Information
ISBN 9781802621181
Author Jennifer A. Horney
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Emerald Publishing Limited
Publisher Emerald Publishing Limited
Weight(grams) 388g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 14mm