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Planning for disasters involving children in Australia: A practical guide
Author(s) -
Grindlay Joanne,
Breeze Katina Mai
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.13073
Subject(s) - medicine , preparedness , psychosocial , medical emergency , emergency management , population , disaster preparedness , psychosocial support , radiological weapon , disaster planning , environmental health , suicide prevention , poison control , psychiatry , economic growth , surgery , political science , law , economics
Children comprise 19% of the Australian population. Children are at risk of higher morbidity and mortality in disaster events than adults; however, there is a paucity of paediatric‐specific disaster preparedness in Australia. Paediatric disaster plans should be developed, tested and renewed regularly. Plans need to address unaccompanied and unidentified children, medical and psychosocial needs and family reunification. Specific management is required for chemical, biological and radiological events.