Research On Optimizing Response Mechanism For Public Health Emergencies

ObjectiveThis study is designed to obtain further understanding of the response mechanism for public health emergencies through defining the connotation of response mechanism for public health emergencies, normative analysis of the main actors in the mechanism and acquiring the status quo of the building of the mechanism. Then, comprehend which parts are the key points in the mechanism, confirm the problems and their causes in the building of the mechanism and make suggestions in order to optimize China's response mechanism for public health emergencies.MethodsThrough theoretical analysis and professional consulting, the connotation, status quo and focus of the mechanism for public health emergencies were analyzed by applying the theories and methods of public management, public crisis management, public policy analysis, sociology, biostatistics and so on. The main methods include literature study, analysis on frequencies of keywords, analytical hierarchy process(AHP) ,biostatistics, normative analysis and nominal group discussion.ResultsFirstly, response mechanism for public health emergency is defined as: in a certain environment, a system aims to prevent, control and eliminate hazards effectively in public health emergencies, to protect the public health and safety of their lives, to maintain normal social order. The system consists of four dynamic sub-systems as follows:a framework in which the main actors deal with public health emergencies, organization functions, operational procedures (process), the support system. The connotation of response mechanism for public health emergencies is defined as three levels, four dimensions, 27 elements of the concept. Secondly, response mechanism for public health emergencies is arranged by importance, the top 10 are:⑴command organizational system;⑵disease prevention and control system;⑶information networks and management mechanism;⑷permanent health emergency response agencies;⑸early-warning mechanism;⑹administration coordination mechanism;⑺the building of laws and regulations;⑻develop and perfect the contingency plans;⑼information disclosure mechanism;⑽personnel training and team building.Thirdly, under the guidance of the government, the framework of harmonious society requires the third sector be responsible for public health emergencies.Both the government and the third sector share public power in the interdependence of the network environment to build the mechanism for public health emergencies .Fourthly, currently, the building on the mechanism for public health emergencies in China focuses on:⑴information networks and management mechanism;⑵permanent health emergency response agencies;⑶contingency plans for system;⑷experts database on health emergency;⑸sectoral coordination and cooperation mechanism;⑹international exchange and communication mechanism.Fifthly, because of their incident high rate and serious consequences, infectious diseases and food poisoning should be the focus of prevention and response in.public health emergencies. Analysis of their emergency response mechanisms we can find five different pionts:⑴different channels in monitoring or sources of information ;⑵different focus on monitoring and supervision;⑶different levels of the command organizations response to;⑷different agencies involved;⑸different mechanisms for publicity and education.Sixthly, the six major problems in the response mechanism for public health emergency were:⑴no permanent command center;⑵ineffective coordination mechanisms;⑶disease control and health emergency system weak;⑷lack of funds;⑸poor early-warning mechanism;⑹no sound legal protection.Discussion and Suggestion⑴constantly deepen the understanding of public health emergencies;⑵governance on matrix network, initiate social interaction mechanism;⑶build strong leadership of emergency organizations, enhance the right of disease prevention and control center;⑷the full realization of early warning function;⑸perfect contingency plans and legal system;⑹establish a response guideline involving all-risk factors for public health emergencies;⑺rebuild response network for public health emergencies in rural areas;⑻reform the existing personnel system to attract and retain talent;⑼strengthen health emergency education;⑽standardized emergency management;⑾strengthen and deepen global cooperation.