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Health Risk Assessment Earns National Honors

12/18/2014

The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, Center for Threat Preparedness Health Risk Assessment (HRA) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) as one of four top tier practices hazard vulnerability analyses and jurisdictional risk assessments for local health departments.

Jerry Rhodes, Director of the Center for Threat Preparedness, commented “The Center’s Health Risk Assessment is a valuable, scalable and transferable tool built from partner input at the local, regional and state levels. We are proud that this participatory, multi-sector model has been nationally recognized as a best practice.”

Toptier practices were selected based on the following characteristics:

  • Completeness: The resource represents a package of materials: an interactive, adaptable tool plus some guidance or training on how to use it.
  • Inclusivity or thoroughness: If a resource addresses the complex issue of human vulnerability or disability, it provides context and a nuanced view of the topic. The importance of a community participatory element is built into the implementation guidelines for the resource.
  • Applicability to common or relevant problems: To the best of NACCHO and CIDRAP’s knowledge, the resource addresses LHD challenges.
  • Evaluation or use: The resource was evaluated formally, informed by community data or subject matter expertise, built in response to community engagement feedback or pilot studies, or used to implement preparedness activities or assessments in local communities.
  • Transferability: The resource can easily be transferred between jurisdictions or sectors.
  • It is simple enough to apply to a range of agencies while comprehensive enough to ensure that another agency can use it immediately.
  • Scalability: The resource offers an array of methods that agencies can select to carry out based on their desired effort level, resource availability and community needs; i.e., the resource provides multiple entry points to beginning the project.
  • Mutual benefit: The resource clearly explains the benefits to and requirements for each participant. The resource may also attempt to create or build on sustainable community/governmental relationships.

 

The purpose of this project was to develop and promote educational materials that advance the development of specific CDC public health preparedness capabilities at the local level. To accomplish this goal, NACCHO contracted with the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) to identify, research, and validate tools, practices, and products that can assist LHDs in meeting select CDC public health preparedness capabilities.

The assessment has also been recognized by CIDRAP on their Public Health Practices site.

To view a summary of the Health Risk Assessment and associated materials visit: http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/healthprep/plan/Pages/Health-Risk-Assessment.aspx 


Contact Information

(304) 558-6900
 
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