Protecting Vulnerable Patient Populations from Climate Hazards: The Role of the Nations’ Cancer Centers
Cet article propose des pistes de réflexion pour développer le rôle des 70 centres américains de lutte contre le cancer dans la protection des populations vulnérables face aux crises climatiques
Individuals diagnosed with cancer are a vulnerable population during disasters. Emergency preparedness efforts are crucial for meeting the health and safety needs of patients, providers, healthcare facilities, and communities before, during, and after a disaster. Recognizing the importance of advancing emergency preparedness expertise to cancer control efforts nationwide, especially in the era of climate change, we searched National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Centers’ websites to examine emergency preparedness information sharing and evidence of research efforts focused on disaster preparedness. Out of 71 centers, 56 (78.9%) presented some emergency preparedness information, and 36 (50.7%) presented information specific to individuals diagnosed with cancer. Only 17 (23.9%) centers provided emergency preparedness information for climate-driven disasters. Informed by these data, this commentary describes an opportunity for cancer centers to lead knowledge advancement on an important aspect of climate change adaptation; disaster preparedness.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute , article en libre accès, 2022