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Protecting Home Health Care Workers: A Challenge to Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Planning

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: The home health care sector is a critical element in a pandemic influenza emergency response. Roughly 85% of the 1.5 million workers delivering in-home care to 7.6 million clients are low-wage paraprofessionals, mostly women, and disproportionately members of racial and ethnic minorities. Home health care workers' ability and willingness to respond during a pandemic depends on appropriate communication, training, and adequate protections, including influenza vaccination and respiratory protection. Preparedness planning should also include support for child care and transportation and help home health care workers protect their income and access to health care. We summarize findings from a national stakeholder meeting, which highlighted the need to integrate home health care employers, workers, community advocates, and labor unions into the planning process.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2008.157339

Authors: Sherry Baron, Kathleen McPhaul, Sally Phillips, Robyn Gershon, Jane Lipscomb

Institutions: University of Maryland, Baltimore, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Columbia University, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Language: English

Topic: Disaster Response and Management

Subfield: Emergency Medical Services

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2142444855

FWCI: 2.704

Cites: 31

Cited by: 36

Related to: 10