Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

Communities like Tall Oaks face significant obstacles in disaster recovery due to social and economic inequalities, communication challenges, and cultural diversity. These factors limit fair access to essential services and prolong the recovery process. For effective recovery, it is critical to develop a disaster plan that integrates government agencies, healthcare providers, and social services. Utilizing frameworks such as the CDC’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) model, which emphasizes clear communication and coordinated roles, can help address these barriers and reduce health disparities during emergencies.

The Tall Oaks community serves approximately 50,000 residents and experiences economic hardships, with a median income of about $44,444 and a health literacy rate of only 22.5%. These conditions reduce residents’ ability to utilize emergency resources effectively. Vulnerable groups—including uninsured individuals, people with disabilities, and older adults—face increased risks. The racial and ethnic composition (49% White, 36% Black, 25% Hispanic/Latino) adds complexity to communication and service delivery efforts. Notably, low-income elderly populations in flood-prone neighborhoods such as Willow Creek and Pine Ridge are particularly vulnerable. Language and cultural barriers among Hispanic/Latino residents further restrict access to healthcare and trust in emergency services.

Infrastructure limitations also hinder access to care and safe shelter during disasters. Critical facilities like Red Oaks Medical Center may become unreachable when services are disrupted. Furthermore, economic hardship and social customs amplify the adverse effects of disasters. To foster resilience and promote health equity after disasters, the recovery plan must comprehensively address these intertwined challenges.

Interconnected Determinants and Culturally Sensitive Recovery

Health determinants in Tall Oaks are deeply interconnected. Economic struggles often lead to substandard housing in disaster-prone areas, while low educational attainment contributes to poor disaster preparedness, particularly among marginalized populations with limited health literacy. Language and cultural differences further exacerbate communication gaps between healthcare providers and Hispanic/Latino residents, hindering timely access to assistance.

Transportation deficits and damaged infrastructure disproportionately affect low-income and disabled residents, increasing their vulnerability during and after disasters. These factors frequently result in prolonged recovery, social isolation, and deteriorating health outcomes. Consequently, disaster recovery planning must prioritize cultural competence, infrastructure investment, and inclusive communication to address these disparities effectively (Blackman et al., 2023).

The proposed recovery strategy is grounded in social justice principles, aiming to guarantee equal access irrespective of race, language, or socioeconomic status. Key initiatives include distributing multilingual information, deploying mobile medical units, and establishing emergency shelters and transportation services tailored to vulnerable populations. Financial aid programs support housing and post-disaster needs. Collaborations with local organizations foster trust and equitable resource allocation, while training healthcare workers in cultural sensitivity enhances teamwork and service equity (Bhugra et al., 2022; Sheerazi et al., 2025).

Policies, Communication, and Collaborative Strategies

Health and government policies in Tall Oaks align with the CDC’s CERC framework, which emphasizes prompt and accessible communication during emergencies. In 2024, over 5,000 professionals completed free CERC training to improve emergency messaging, thereby enhancing public trust and facilitating equitable recovery (CDC, 2025). Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees access for individuals with mobility and communication challenges to recovery centers, healthcare, and information (ADA, 2025).

Federal laws such as the Robert T. Stafford Act and the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) provide funding to support recovery infrastructure projects, including flood mitigation in vulnerable neighborhoods. These laws also enable flexible allocation of funds to improve healthcare access for low-income and uninsured residents (Horn et al., 2021). Trace-mapping technologies assist in efficiently directing aid by identifying areas with the greatest unmet needs.

Effective disaster response further depends on enhanced communication strategies, including multilingual signage, culturally appropriate triage procedures, and shelters staffed by diverse personnel to ensure equitable access. Trust-building through cultural sensitivity training improves compliance with emergency directives (Bonfanti et al., 2023). Interprofessional collaboration among healthcare workers, social workers, and emergency responders facilitates resource coordination. Engaging community leaders and implementing feedback mechanisms, such as town hall meetings, allows real-time plan adjustments, thereby improving recovery outcomes across the population (Yazdani & Haghani, 2024; Vandrevala et al., 2024).

Table: Summary of Key Issues and Recovery Plan Strategies

Category	Challenges	Proposed Strategies
Socioeconomic Disparities	Low median income (~$44,444), high poverty, low education	Economic aid programs, flood-safe housing, equitable healthcare access
Cultural and Communication Barriers	Language differences, low institutional trust	Multilingual communication, culturally sensitive outreach, interpreters
Vulnerable Populations	Disabled, elderly, uninsured, racial/ethnic minorities	Mobile health units, specialized shelters, ADA compliance
Infrastructure and Service Access	Damaged roads, medical center closures during disasters	Infrastructure upgrades, trace-mapping, accessible transportation
Health and Government Policy	Limited funding flexibility, uneven resource distribution	CERC training, Stafford Act & DRRA funding access
Interprofessional Collaboration	Lack of coordination, insufficient training	Joint training, community partnerships, inclusive planning

References

ADA. (2025). Health Care and the Americans With Disabilities Act | ADA National Network. Adata.org. https://adata.org/factsheet/health-care-and-ada

Bhugra, D., Tribe, R., & Poulter, D. (2022). Social justice, health equity, and mental health. South African Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463211070921

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Blackman, D., Prayag, G., Nakanishi, H., Chaffer, J., & Freyens, B. (2023). Wellbeing in disaster recovery: Understanding where systems get stuck. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 95, 103839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103839

Bonfanti, R. C., Oberti, B., Ravazzoli, E., Rinaldi, A., Ruggieri, S., & Schimmenti, A. (2023). The role of trust in disaster risk reduction: A critical review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 96, 104095.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Program. CDC.gov. https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/

Horn, D., Patel, A., & Zhang, T. (2021). Policy and infrastructure investment after disasters: Impacts of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act. Journal of Emergency Management, 19(3), 201–210.

Sheerazi, R., Thomas, L., & Kim, D. (2025). Culturally sensitive disaster recovery frameworks for underserved populations. American Journal of Public Health Policy, 115(1), 32–42.

Vandrevala, T., Larkin, M., Haria, K., & Jones, J. (2024). Community voices in disaster planning: Enhancing engagement in under-resourced areas. Disaster and Society, 9(2), 74–91.

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Yazdani, R., & Haghani, M. (2024). Interprofessional collaboration in crisis recovery: Case studies from rural America. Journal of Emergency Preparedness, 17(4), 289–305.

The post Capella 4055 Assessment 3 appeared first on MSN Writing Services.