He stressed the links between the Public Health Scorecard Addendum and WHO’s Emergency and Disaster Management Risk Framework and outlined the core principles.

Both advocate a risk-based approach with comprehensive emergency management across prevention, preparedness, readiness, response and recovery.

Successful reduction of risk requires an all-hazards, systems-based approach, engagement with the local community and multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Williams stressed the importance of learning from elsewhere and avoiding reinvention. He also strongly advocated for bringing all the stakeholders together, especially to address three areas of weakness: adequate funding for building disaster resilience; community engagement and recovery planning.

“You should be thinking about the recovery before the disaster happens,” he said.

Dr. BenJamin Ryan, Clinical Associate Professor, Baylor University, Texas, USA, recalled the closure of a hospital in Cairns, Australia, flooded by Cyclone Yasi, in 2011 as an example of the kind of scenario that can be avoided by good use of the Public Health Scorecard.

Dr. Ryan outlined how a multisectoral review of public health needs was undertaken and funding was acquired for a multi-purpose facility which could provide emergency care in a category 5 cyclone if the Cairns Hospital Emergency Department is unable to function.

The Scorecard advocates for early warning systems for impending health care emergencies “such as a pandemic and chronic health care stress that is building towards a tipping point.”

It is designed to be locally led and developed and to “help cities establish their public health system resilience baseline and to frame an action plan.”

Hazards

Epidemic & Pandemic

Themes

Governance Health & Health Facilities Urban Risk & Planning

Country & Region

Korea, Rep of