Children's Needs Before, During and After A Disaster to Be Discussed

Newswise — Recent disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 just how unprepared Americans were for these events. It is imperative that physicians are able to respond quickly and effectively. With proper preparation and planning, the number of victims, and the suffering of those affected, can be reduced.

To address the unique and special needs of children during times of disaster, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hosted a session titled, " Pediatrics for the 21st Century: Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery for Children and Pediatricians," on October 6, 2006 prior to its National Conference and Exhibition being held in Atlanta, Georgia, October 7 " 10, 2006.

Featured speakers include Ernie Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Dr. Lou Romig, Medical Director for the Department of Homeland Security's South Florida Regional Disaster Medical Assistance Team; Gerard Braud, crisis communications and media expert from New Orleans; David Schonfeld, Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement and Director of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; and pediatricians who dealt firsthand with natural disasters.

Children have different emotional and physical needs during and after disasters. Keeping families intact after a disaster is of vital importance to the psychological well being of children. This conference stresses that pediatricians are in a position to discuss the importance of advance planning with families to help them ensure they not only survive a natural disaster, but minimize the emotional impact caused by such trauma.