CHA published a report entitled “Children’s Health Care Needs in a Pandemic, Disaster or Public Health Emergency: A National Blueprint for Pediatric-Specific Readiness.”
Children have unique physical, mental and social needs that differ from adults, and there are opportunities to ensure these considerations are included in future pandemic and disaster planning. The blueprint report urges policymakers to address challenges in key areas such as:
- Strengthening the national pediatric disaster and pandemic response infrastructure.
- Investing in the growth of the pediatric workforce to prevent future shortages.
- Bolstering rapid medical countermeasure (MCM) response and access to pediatric medical supplies and equipment within the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
- Ensuring timely access to mental health care services to children during pandemics and public health emergencies.
The recommendations in the blueprint report incorporate the results of a May 2023 online survey developed in partnership with FTI Consulting and completed by over 40 CHA members and Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) participants. The report also includes documented insights from a range of experts working in pediatric medicine, pediatric disaster response, pharmacy and supply chain issues and more.
