Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM)

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Agenda 6/Part 1

Background

One of the three strategic priorities under the WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work for 2019-23 is to ensure

that one billion more people will be better protected from health emergencies. This priority aims to build and

sustain resilient national, regional and global capacities, and to ensure that populations affected by acute and

protracted emergencies have rapid access to essential life-saving health services. The WKC has contributed to the

global movement to enhance scientific evidence to improve Health EDRM, as represented by the WHO Thematic

Platform for Health EDRM Research Network (TPRN). Health needs have been highlighted in the Sendai

Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), the resulting document of the 3rd UN

World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, followed by WHO Health EDRM Framework 2019. The WKC is

uniquely placed to continuously engage with experts in Japan and globally who have extensive experience in

prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from severe disasters. Based on the research gap analysis and

recommendations from an expert meeting in Kobe in 2018, the 1st TPRN Core Group Meeting in Awaji in 2019,

and the lessons and experience from Japan, WKC has selected several research areas to focus on during 2018-

2026. In addition, WKC has sought to incorporate COVID-19 in response to the emerging research needs of Health

EDRM in the context of COVID-19.

Key research areas

1. To address gaps and information needs in the research architecture to enable standardization and ethical issues.

2. To inform about the most appropriate format and key content for health data collection and management and

enable greater standardization and comparative analysis of health impact across disaster prevention,

preparedness, response and recovery.

3. To carry out research that supports evidence-based policy development enabling effective disaster response,

with focus on a holistic approach to the health needs of survivors through adaptable health systems

4. To study the specific health needs of vulnerable sub-populations, including older adults.

Progress report 2019-20

Results from research completed in 2019-20 (2 projects)

In the Kobe Expert Meeting 2018, issues were raised about the gaps in the Health-EDRM research methodology and

impact evaluation. Subsequently, WKC joined as core editor in the preparation of the WHO Guidance on Research

Methods for Health-EDRM (2018-2020) with a multi-disciplinary team of authors of researchers, government

officials and WHO officers representing all regions of WHO. It aims to provide practical advice about how to plan,

conduct and report a wide variety of studies across different settings. Case studies of direct relevance to Health-

EDRM provide real-life examples of research to illustrate the methods and their policy and programmatic impact.

This WHO Guidance will be completed in 2020. It consists of six sections with 43 chapters written by and peer

reviewed by 140 international experts from 30 countries, including 24 WHO officers from HQ and all Regional

Offices. For the effective dissemination and utilization of the guidance, webinars for practical application will be

prepared by the authors of each chapter.

Research on community disaster risk management and specific health needs of subpopulations in collaboration

with the University of Hyogo and Kumamoto University (2018-20), was completed. Researchers conducted a

population-based survey to identify the risk and health needs of older adults after disasters. The survey covered the

whole population of Mashiki-town, one of the most severely affected areas of the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016.

This research is intended to improve the management of care for older populations. The results of the survey were

summarized into a project report, a final research brief in 2019, and a peer-reviewed journal paper is being drafted.

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Agenda 6/Part 1

Research ongoing (2019-2021) and expected results (9 research projects)

In response to the emerging research needs in the context of COVID-19, the WHO Guidance on Research Methods

for Health EDRM will be revised and updated in 2021 with additional COVID-19 related chapters. Since 2019, WKC

has been acting as the secretariat of TPRN with the agreement of HQ and Regional Offices. The 1st TPRN Core Group

Meeting with focal points in HQ and Regional Offices was held in Awaji, Hyogo, on 17-18 October 2019. During the

Core Group Meeting, the plan and process for setting the WHO Research Agenda on Health-EDRM, including the

expansion of scope of TPRN activities. A journal paper that summarizes the results of the meeting is under

preparation. The meeting report is available on WKC website.

Based on the results of the Kobe Expert Meeting 2018, WKC published a call for proposals in 2019 for Health-EDRM

research to address the identified research gaps and needs in four areas: health data management, mental health

and psychosocial support, health needs of sub-populations and health literacy, and health workforce development.

Four research projects below were selected and are currently being implemented.

A Scoping Review of the Impacts of Disasters and Health Adaptation on Vulnerable Populations in China, Viet Nam

and Indonesia is being conducted by Griffith University Centre for Environment and Population Health (2019-

2020).The project aims to review the health impact of vulnerable populations affected by climate-related disasters in

China, Indonesia and Viet Nam, and identify measures to address their health risks. The initial research brief is

available at WKC website. The project will be completed in 2020 with publication of a journal paper and a policy

brief.

The second research project is the Determinants of Long-Term Mental Health Outcomes after Disasters and Health

Emergencies: A systematic review and establishment of the Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network, being

carried out by Curtin University, the Japan National Institute of Mental Health, the Hyogo Institute for Traumatic

Stress, University of Melbourne, and Harvard University (2020-2021). The project has three aims. First, it will

determine the risk and protective factors associated with long-term mental health trajectories in the years following

disasters and health emergencies. Secondly, it will assess the quality of monitoring and evaluation evidence in the

field of disaster mental health research, in line with the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) Common Monitoring

and Evaluation Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. Third, it will establish

the Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network to support best practice within the region. The initial research brief

is available at WKC website. A journal paper on the establishment of the Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network

is under peer-review.

The third research project is the Health workforce development strategy in health-EDRM: evidence from literature

review, case studies and expert consultations. This research is being carried out by The Chinese University of Hong

Kong, Harvard University, Sichuan University, Tohoku University, University of Hyogo, University of Piemonte

Orientale, and the University of the Philippines in Manila (2020-2021). The project aims to develop a health-EDRM

health workforce development strategy for ministries of health to inform policy and practice across WHO regions.

The initial research brief is available at WKC website. A journal paper on the research gap and current knowledge

mapping is under preparation.

The fourth research project is a Systematic review and implementation research for health data management

before, during and after emergencies and disasters. This research is being carried out by Hiroshima University,

University of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Johns Hopkins University, Hyogo Emergency Medical

Centre,Kibi International University, Ministry of Health Mozambique, Japan DMAT Secretariat, and the WHO

Emergency Medical Team (2020-2021). This project aims to establish a comprehensive evidence-based

understanding of health data collection systems during and following emergencies and disasters through examining

facilitators and barriers to implementation of standardized health data collection systems by conducting systematic

review and case studies on the lessons learnt from disaster responses in Mozambique and Japan. The initial research

brief is available at WKC website.

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Agenda 6/Part 1

In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the 2nd TPRN Core Group Meeting is to be held online in September 2020

and discuss the needed modification of the TPRN activity plan and operational plan. There is a need to establish an

up-to-date database of Health EDRM knowledge and evidence. WKC also facilitates and contributed to the

publication on Health EDRM in the context of COVID-19. WKC conducted an online survey for TPRN participants and

Core Group members to identify key Health EDRM research needs in the context of COVID-19. Based on the results

of the survey, WKC published a call for proposals in 2020 focusing on key research needs to strengthen emergency

preparedness in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus was four major research areas that advanced

policies and programmes promoting:

• An all-hazards health emergency and disaster risk management approach, including prevention,

preparedness and readiness, for the risks related to emergencies that may occur during the COVID-19

pandemic.

• Governance mechanisms and a whole-of-society approach to managing the risks related to the COVID-19

pandemic and other health emergencies.

• Community resilience before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Mental health problems in the Kansai region, Japan.

Some XX applications were received under this global call from were received. In October 2020, all proposals

underwent an initial screening for completeness of applications, and those that passed the screening will undergo

technical review by internal and external experts. It is anticipated that at least four proposals will be selected, one

for each of the four major research areas, to undertake research during 2020-22.

Publications

Books

WHO Guidance on Research Methods for Health EDRM: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-

details/GUIDANCE

Journal articles

1. Kayano R, Lin M, Shinozaki Y, Kim Y. Long-Term Mental Health Support After Natural Disasters: A Report

From An Online Survey Among Japanese Experts. Under review by Internal Journal of Environmental

Research and Public Health (IJERPH).

2. Chan EYY, Sham TST, Shahzada TS, Dubois C, Huang Z, Liu S, Hung KK, Tse SL, Kwok KO, Chung PH, Kayano R,

Shaw R. Narrative Review on Health-EDRM Primary Prevention Measures for Vector-Borne Diseases. Int. J.

Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5981.

3. Chan EYY, Sham TST, Shahzada TS, Dubois C, Huang Z, Liu S, Hung KK, Tse SL, Kwok KO, Chung PH, Shaw R.

Narrative Review on non-pharmaceutical behavioural measures for the prevention of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-

2) based on the Health-EDRM Framework. Under review by British Medical Bulletin.

4. Newnham EA, Dzidic PL, Mergelsberg E, Guragain B, Chan EYY, Kim Y, Learning J, Kayano R, Wright M,

Kaththiriarachichi L, Kato H, Osawa T, Gibbs L. The Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network: Setting a

Health EDRM Mental Health Agenda. Under review by IJERPH.

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    Agenda 6/Part 1 
 
 
WHO/WKC project briefs 
 
Report of the 1st TPRN Core Group Meeting: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/TPRN 
 
Revised Operation plan of TPRN: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/sites/default/files/TPRN_OperationPlan.pdf 
 
Systematic Review and Implementation Research for Health Data Management (Health EDRM) Before, During and 
After Emergencies and Disasters: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area1 
 
Determinants of long-term mental health outcomes after disasters and health emergencies: A systematic review and 
establishment of the Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-
details/h-edrm_area2 
 
A Scoping Review of the Impacts of Climate-related Disasters and Health Adaptation on Vulnerable Populations in 
China, Viet Nam and Indonesia: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area3 
 
Health Workforce Development in Health EDRM: Literature Review, Case Studies and Expert Consultations: 
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area4 
 
Call for proposals issued  
 
Research on Health EDRM in the context of COVID-19 i. Call opened from 5 August to 28 September 2020. Selection 
was conducted in October 2020. XX proposals selected for external review.  
 
 
Other activities 
 
July 2019, Dr Ryoma Kayano organized a workshop on Health EDRM at DwD-GCRF-UKADR-DRG-UKCDR 
International Conference 2019, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Through this workshop he introduced TPRN and WKC’s 
Health call for proposal 2019. Over 20 leading experts offered their contribution to the TPRN.  
 
December 2019, Dr Ryoma Kayano had a plenary speech on WKC’s activities on Health EDRM and TPRN at Great 
Hanshin Awaji Earthquake 25-year Commemoration Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction Science, Kobe, Japan.   
 
February 2020, Dr Ryoma Kayano organized a workshop on Health EDRM research, research methods and research 
network at the 25
th
 Conference of Japanese Association of Disaster Medicine, Kobe, Japan. Through this workshop 
the up to date research projects and findings in Japan were overviewed. The result of this workshop is being 
summarized into a journal paper to be submitted in October 2020.  
 
March 2020, Dr Ryoma Kayano had a keynote speech on COVID-19 and Health EDRM at The Asian Conference on 
Education & International Development (Online). 