Overview Public Health Role
In a radiation incident, public health may be involved in population monitoring to screen people for internal and external radioactive contamination and, in some cases, to determine the dose received. With this information, persons can be screened for external contamination and, if appropriate, given medical care for internal contamination.
The establishment of a clinical registry to record key information about all persons screened following the incident will enable monitoring for long-term health effects, both physical and mental. This will put public health in an excellent position to screen for mental health needs and deliver, supervise, or secure mental health crisis services.
The registry may also provide important psychological benefits for affected communities, giving reassurance that follow-up service will be available. Monitoring was a major component of the response to the radiation disaster in Goiânia, Brazil, as Dr. Rozental describes.
In a radiation incident, public health may be involved in population monitoring.
Persons can be screened for external contamination and given medical care for internal contamination.
Establishing a clinical registry to record key information about all persons screened following the incident will enable monitoring for long-term health effects.
Monitoring was a major component of the response to the radiation disaster in Goiânia, Brazil.
Public health workers take contact information in case follow-up services are needed. Population monitoring is a key function of public health in a radiation disaster.
Medical staff may be able to provide countermeasures for internal contamination, depending on the event and available resources.
Registration is an important part of population monitoring and can also provide information for follow-up mental health services.
Radiological Contamination and Exposure
Excerpt from "Just-in-Time Training for Hospital Clinicians"
Dr. Jose Rozental
Former Director of Department of Nuclear Installation and Materials
Brazilian National Commission of Nuclear Energy