Background
Importance of rapid assessments
When disaster strikes it is important to realize that apart
from acute health problems that will be addressed by the
emergency departments many other problems are likely
to occur [1]. Homes may be damaged, sometimes resulting
in displacement of the population. Survivors might
develop diseases or have other health problems as a consequence
of the disaster. These problems may result in
health related needs like medical treatment and medication
use. Since a disaster might have direct consequences
for public health care a clear overview of these health
needs is important. Therefore rapid assessment methods
are needed to collect reliable, objective information that
is immediately required for decision making in the recovery
phase of the event. Health care agencies, stakeholdersand policy makers will request a rapid insight into health
status to take care of the needs of the affected population
[2]. With this collected information about health status
and needs, public health interventions can be prioritized.
Rapid assessment tools are also important to guide the
emergency efforts in the affected area [3]. For example,
public health interventions and emergency efforts may
include improvements of access to medical care, financial
support and restoration of damaged houses.
Since health needs can rapidly change [2] after the
acute phase and a quick insight into common health
problems is important to preserve adequate health care,
this article focuses on assessment methods which can be
applied in the first two weeks after a disaster. This is also
important because collection of possible exposure data,
such as the extent of involvement or the use of protection
measures, is the most reliable in the first two weeks after
an event (to prevent recall bias). Furthermore, we assume
that a rapid assessment can provide information that canbe necessary in case the need for the regular local health
and medical systems is unknown or if these systems are
overloaded or disrupted due to the disaster. After all, if
the regular local health care is operative no information is
needed for collective health care.