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From Science to Policy and Practice: A Critical Assessment of Knowledge Management before, during, and after Environmental Public Health Disasters

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  • Mélissa Généreux

    (Eastern Townships Integrated University Centre in Health and Social Services—Sherbrooke Hospital University Centre, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 1B1, Canada
    Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada)

  • Marc Lafontaine

    (Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada)

  • Angela Eykelbosh

    (National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2, Canada)

Abstract

Canada regularly faces environmental public health (EPH) disasters. Given the importance of evidence-based, risk-informed decision-making, we aimed to critically assess the integration of EPH expertise and research into each phase of disaster management. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 leaders in disaster management from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and were complemented by other qualitative methods. Three topics were examined: governance, knowledge creation/translation, and related barriers/needs. Data were analyzed through a four-step content analysis. Six critical success factors emerged from the analysis: blending the best of traditional and modern approaches; fostering community engagement; cultivating relationships; investing in preparedness and recovery; putting knowledge into practice; and ensuring sufficient human and financial resources. Several promising knowledge-to-action strategies were also identified, including mentorship programs, communities of practice, advisory groups, systematized learning, and comprehensive repositories of tools and resources. There is no single roadmap to incorporate EPH expertise and research into disaster management. Our findings suggest that preparation for and management of EPH disaster risks requires effective long-term collaboration between science, policy, and EPH practitioners at all levels in order to facilitate coordinated and timely deployment of multi-sectoral/jurisdictional resources when and where they are most needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mélissa Généreux & Marc Lafontaine & Angela Eykelbosh, 2019. "From Science to Policy and Practice: A Critical Assessment of Knowledge Management before, during, and after Environmental Public Health Disasters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:4:p:587-:d:206797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aubrey Miller & Kevin Yeskey & Stavros Garantziotis & Stacey Arnesen & April Bennett & Liam O’Fallon & Claudia Thompson & Les Reinlib & Scott Masten & James Remington & Cindy Love & Steve Ramsey & Ric, 2016. "Integrating Health Research into Disaster Response: The New NIH Disaster Research Response Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Dar, O. & Buckley, E.J. & Rokadiya, S. & Huda, Q. & Abrahams, J., 2014. "Integrating health into disaster risk reduction strategies: Key considerations for success," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(10), pages 1811-1816.
    3. Lichtveld, M. & Kennedy, S. & Krouse, R.Z. & Grimsley, F. & El-Dahr, J. & Bordelon, K. & Sterling, Y. & White, L. & Barlow, N. & DeGruy, S. & Paul, D. & Denham, S. & Hayes, C. & Sanders, M. & Mvula, M, 2016. "From design to dissemination: Implementing community-based participatory research in postdisaster communities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(7), pages 1235-1242.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Brandon Gray & Fahmy Hanna & Lennart Reifels, 2020. "The Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Mapping and Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Michel Dückers & Wera van Hoof & Andrea Willems & Hans te Brake, 2022. "Appraising Evidence-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Guidelines—PART II: A Content Analysis with Implications for Disaster Risk Reduction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Simon Graham & Ilias Kamitsis & Michelle Kennedy & Christina Heris & Tess Bright & Shannon K. Bennetts & Kimberley A Jones & Renee Fiolet & Janine Mohamed & Caroline Atkinson & Catherine Chamberlain, 2022. "A Culturally Responsive Trauma-Informed Public Health Emergency Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Australia, Developed during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Hans te Brake & Andrea Willems & Charlie Steen & Michel Dückers, 2022. "Appraising Evidence-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Guidelines—PART I: A Systematic Review on Methodological Quality Using AGREE-HS," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-13, March.
    6. Nina Lorenzoni & Verena Stühlinger & Harald Stummer & Margit Raich, 2020. "Long-Term Impact of Disasters on the Public Health System: A Multi-Case Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Holly Ching Yu Lam, 2020. "Research Frontiers of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management: What Do We Know So Far?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-4, March.
    8. Maya Siman-Tov & Benny Davidson & Bruria Adini, 2020. "Maintaining Preparedness to Severe Though Infrequent Threats—Can It Be Done?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-15, March.

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