OVERVIEW
Historically, disaster response often overlooked certain groups' needs because emergency planners and responders were not aware of the vulnerabilities these groups faced that hindered their ability to safeguard themselves. Eventually as emergency preparedness and management became more prominent, organizations began developing emergency plans that helped their agency prepare for various disasters. Unfortunately, these plans often did not address the needs of vulnerable populations. Understanding the needs and characteristics of these groups, communities, and populations allows health officials to create the necessary tools to help prepare them during a disaster. Using ideas and tools based on theory and science allows agencies to draw from successful, evidence-based principles to develop relevant resources for vulnerable populations in their community.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the session is to provide an overview of vulnerable populations and the characteristics that put them at risk during disasters and to describe the theories and science-based principles that can be used to develop appropriate tools for these populations. Examples of projects that utilize science will be presented to demonstrate how to incorporate theory and evidence-based approaches into preparedness resources for vulnerable populations.

OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Provide a clear definition of vulnerable populations.
2. Identify vulnerable groups and their needs during different disasters.
3. Describe theories and science-based principles that they can draw upon when developing resources for vulnerable populations in their community.

ABOUT THE TRAINER

Kimberley I. Shoaf, DrPH, is an Associate Professor In-Residence in the Department of Community Health Sciences in the School of Public Health at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), where she teaches a number of courses in emergency public health. She serves as the Associate Director of the UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters, where she has overall responsibility for the Center's scientific research and training activities. Shoaf received her BS degree in Community Health Education from the University of Utah. She received her MPH degree in Population and Family Health and her DrPH in Community Health Sciences at UCLA. Her expertise is in the combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for studying the social and health impacts of disasters as well as the public health response to emergencies. Shoaf has published numerous scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and professional publications, specifically in the areas of disasters and emergency public health. Currently, she is an Ad Hoc Reviewer for several publications including Earthquake Spectra, Environmental Hazards, and Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. She recently served as a member of the National Research Council Committee on Disaster Research in the Social Sciences.