Robert T. Brigantic, David S. Ebert, Courtney D. Corley, Ross Maciejewski, George A. Muller, & Aimee E. Taylor. (2010). Development of a quick look pandemic influenza modeling and visualization tool. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Federal, State, and local decision makers and public health officials must prepare and exercise complex plans to contend with a variety of possible mass casualty events, such as pandemic influenza. Through the provision of quick look tools (QLTs) focused on mass casualty events, such planning can be done with higher accuracy and more realism through the combination of interactive simulation and visualization in these tools. If an event happens, the QLTs can then be employed to rapidly assess and execute alternative mitigation strategies, and thereby minimize casualties. This can be achieved by conducting numerous “what-if” assessments prior to any event in order to assess potential health impacts (e.g., number of sick individuals), required community resources (e.g., vaccinations and hospital beds), and optimal mitigative decision strategies (e.g., school closures) during the course of a pandemic. In this presentation, we overview and demonstrate a pandemic influenza QLT, discuss some of the modeling methods and construct and visual analytic components and interface, and outline additional development concepts. These include the incorporation of a user selectable infectious disease palette, simultaneous visualization of decision alternatives, additional resource elements associated with emergency response (e.g., first responders and medical professionals), and provisions for other potential disaster events.
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Johan Jenvald, Michael Morin, Toomas Timpka, & Henrik Eriksson. (2007). Simulation as decision support in pandemic influenza preparedness and response. In K. Nieuwenhuis P. B. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Intelligent Human Computer Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM 2007 Academic Proceedings Papers (pp. 295–304). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Outbreak of a destructive pandemic influenza threatens to disrupt societies worldwide. International agencies and national governments have prepared plans and recommendations, but it is often decision-makers with the local authorities that are responsible for implementing the response. A central issue for these decision makers is what interventions are available and effective for the specific local community. The paper presents a simulator architecture and its relation to a workflow for decision support in influenza preparedness and response. The simulator can simulate pandemic scenarios, using localized community models, in the presence of various interventions to support an evaluation of potential response strategies. The architecture includes a customized modeling tool, separated from the simulation engine, which facilitates swift scenario modification and recalculation. This flexibility is essential both to explore alternative solutions in planning, and to adapt to changing requirements, information, and resources in outbreak response. An example simulation, based on actual population data from a reference city, illustrates the approach.
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Melissa M. Kelley, Bindu Tharian, & Kimberley I. Shoaf. (2011). Delivering health messages using traditional and new media: Communication preferences of california residents during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In March 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged from Mexico. The pandemic resulted in a surge of media attention in which a large volume of information was communicated via multiple sources and channels, both traditional and new. In order to better understand the publics perceptions and utilization of health information provided, California residents were surveyed using a mailed questionnaire. Results showed most respondents felt they had received enough information about the outbreak. The study also found participants preferred conventional communication sources, such as television and newspapers, over new media, such websites. Although, there were some statistically significant differences between information source usage by age as well as by education. Even though respondents reported using a variety of sources, as a whole, they were unsure of their accuracy, trustworthiness or usefulness. Further study is needed to understand if these results are representative of experiences in other states and countries.
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