Lessons Learned From an Epidemiologist-Led Countywide Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Disaster Preparedness

Background:

• Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tool for rapid disaster needs assessment.
• CASPER methodology is primarily designed for urban settings, posing challenges in diverse geographical and linguistic contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe methodological considerations and lessons learned from a countywide CASPER exercise in a diverse rural Oregon county.
• To adapt and implement the CDC's CASPER toolkit for assessing community emergency preparedness in challenging environments.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a countywide CASPER exercise in Washington County, Oregon, adapting urban-focused CDC guidance for rural terrain and linguistic diversity.
• Implemented strategies for oversampling clusters, overrecruiting volunteers, and ensuring availability of language services.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 61% interview completion rate.
• 85% of volunteers expressed willingness to participate in future CASPER exercises.
• Identified critical planning factors for successful CASPER implementation in diverse settings.

Conclusions:

• Successful large-scale CASPER exercises necessitate careful planning, including oversampling, overrecruiting volunteers, accurate cost estimation, and proactive language support.
• Adaptations are crucial for applying CASPER methodology effectively in rural and linguistically diverse communities for public health emergency response.