For Physicians:

Psychosocial Implications of Disaster or Terrorism on Children: A Guide for the Pediatrician- From the Journal of Pediatrics. During and after disasters, pediatricians can assist parents and community leaders not only by accommodating the unique needs of children but also by being cognizant of the psychological responses of children to reduce the possibility of long-term psychological morbidity. The effects of disaster on children are mediated by many factors including personal experience, parental reaction, developmental competency, gender, and the stage of disaster response. Pediatricians can be effective advocates for the child and family and at the community level and can affect national policy in support of families. In this report, specific children's responses are delineated, risk factors for adverse reactions are discussed, and advice is given for pediatricians to ameliorate the effects of disaster on children.

The Impact of Terrorism and Disasters on Children- American Psychological Association Public Policy Briefing. Children, those both directly and indirectly involved, are particularly vulnerable to the far-reaching impact of terrorism and disasters. Children at risk for experiencing mental health difficulties after a disaster or act of terrorism include those who are near to or actually witness the event, those who lose loved ones as a result, and even those children who merely live in the affected community or watch coverage of the event on television. This briefing paper provides an empirically-based overview of the risk and protective factors for children exposed to terrorism and their typical responses. This paper also sets forth what we know about mental health interventions and proposes recommendations for addressing the impact of terrorism on our nation's children.

Disaster Preparedness Plan for Pediatricians - Two major deficiencies have been identified that are of special concern to pediatricians: (1) the inadequacy of existing planning in addressing the unique needs of children, and (2) the need for individual physicians to develop or revise their own disaster plans. This document primarily addresses the latter, though this will also facilitate the former, by better enabling pediatricians to care for children during a disaster. The AAP’s recent policy statement, “The Pediatrician and Disaster Preparedness” (Feb 2006) addresses some of these concerns.