By Cassidy Rice
Aubrey Miller, M.D., M.P.H. speaking at the Disaster Research Response Workshop. (Photo courtesy of Ann Liu)
The Disaster Research Response (DR2) program is an initiative led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) that facilitates timely public health and emergency response research after human-caused and natural disasters. The program develops resources and provides training and funding to support field data collection in disaster scenarios and coordinates disaster research efforts across a national network. By collecting baseline data immediately following disasters, researchers can better understand the acute effects of disasters on health and improve processes for future disaster response in the United States and abroad.
In late May, the NIEHS DR2 program and the National Institute for Environmental Sciences (NIES) of Japan co-hosted a workshop focused on disaster research response in the Asian region. Participants from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia joined NIEHS and NIES representatives at the event, which took place in Kanagawa, Japan.
Shoji Nakayama, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan. (Photo courtesy of Ann Liu)
NIEHS director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., and program lead Aubrey Miller, M.D., were both guest speakers at the event. The DR2 program worked closely with NIES deputy director Shoji Nakayama, M.D., Ph.D., to ensure session themes were relevant to the region and to develop facilitated discussions adapted from previous DR2 training workshops. “The workshop provided a wonderful opportunity for scientists from across Japan and Southeast Asia to share their health efforts related to disasters, learn about DR2 resources, and discuss responses to complex disasters,” Miller said.
Representatives shared reports on extreme events and disasters in Indonesia, health vulnerability in Malayasia, air pollution in Thailand, and a social infrastructure evaluation system in Vietnam. Attendees also participated in interactive discussions around a hypothetical flooding scenario to share strategies for improving research coordination, data collection and sharing, and future actions for international disaster research and response, building upon past experiences as well as existing capacity and partnerships. “Participants were enthusiastic about developing a regional ‘community of practice’ to continue to work together and build capacity for data collection and vital health research in response to disasters going forward,” Miller said.
