The Disaster Preparedness Committee purpose is to address the unrecognized needs of mothers, infants, and young families during disasters, and coordinate efforts to meet these needs.  We recognize disasters when we see them -- but that is too late to begin planning health care interventions.  Hurricane Katrina highlighted the need for better care for mothers and babies.  But a year later, few plans include adequate measures to protect pregnant women.  The increased recognition of public health disaster preparedness needs has not included plans specific to this special population.  Another goal of the Committee is to help ACNM members prepare for disasters on a local level.     

For anyone interested in becoming involved with disaster preparedness, please contact Mary, or Monica Greenfield, Program Coordinator in the ACNM Department of Professional Services, via email or at (240) 485-1844.


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