Psychology and Canada?s Pandemic Flu Plan

[Thornton]

Psychology and Canada?s Pandemic Flu Plan
Click here for a PDF version of this document
http://www.cpa.ca/CPAPADVOCACYPROJECT/Pandemic Flu.htm

As you have likely noticed, there has been a lot of coverage in the media regarding the next flu pandemic and it?s potentially devastating effects on Canadians. Scientists are predicting that a flu pandemic is inevitable and even imminent. The Canadian government published in February, 2005 a Pandemic Flu Plan, touted as one of the best in the world, which first focuses on the prevention of illness and death and then on ?minimizing the social disruptions? that such a pandemic may cause.
An outbreak of the flu could kill between 11,000 and 58,000 people and as many as 10.6 million Canadians could become sick. There are severe social and psychological impacts of having 30% of the population ?out of commission? (including police, doctors, etc.) ? let alone the impact of so many deaths.
The Pandemic Flu Plan was developed by a large committee led by Health Canada that included provincial and territorial representatives and many experts. It will be implemented by individual provinces and territories and by the Federal Government in their respective areas of jurisdictional responsibility.
Unfortunately, the Plan does not address the psychological aspects of disaster response. This is a serious omission and the Flu Plan is seriously compromised as a result. CPA was not invited to be involved and neither was a psychologist, as far as we can tell. As you all know, such a public health catastrophe will be replete with psychological problems which need to be planned for now.
In some respects it is not too late. Psychologists need to be part of the planning process and the Flu Plan implementation effort in each of the provinces and territories. This will significantly strengthen the effectiveness of the response. CPA is trying to capture the Federal Governments attention to develop an annex to the Plan to address the psychological issues evident at the individual, family, community and responder levels.
In an effort to position psychology at the planning table, CPA has conducted a survey of the provinces and territories to determine the degree to which psychological associations have been involved in flu pandemic preparation in each jurisdiction to date. This information will be very helpful in advocating for the inclusion of psychology to assist authorities in ?minimizing social disruptions?. This is an important advocacy issue and opportunity for psychology at the national provincial and territorial levels.
For more information on the Federal Government?s plan: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cpip-pclcpi/index.html

See also the post from Snowy Owl for a consent and pariticpation link to a survey on the psychological impact of bird flu.
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=51576#post51576

JT