Hurricane Katrina Provokes Review of Public Health Services and Health Care Management

By Fran Walker
fran.walker@medicalhealthcarecareerschools.com
Medical Healthcare Career Schools Columnist

In aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, public health services were stretched to the limit. On the one hand were the horror stories of elderly and infirm victims left behind. On the other were the heroic public health personnel working tirelessly - and sometimes alone - to help the thousands suffering. One thing is certain: there will be many lessons learned by health care management professionals in the future. Would you like to be one of them?

Texas Public Health Planning - A Good Example for the Future

The difficulties faced by health care professionals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina - and the management decisions made have been the subject of much debate. As evacuees began to filter into surrounding states, public health services in states such as Texas were also stretched to the limit.

Fortunately, locals and public health workers pulled together, and health care management effectively provided much needed food, shelter and medical care to those that needed it. This was effective health care management in action.

Online Degrees in Health Care Management and Public Health

Hurricane Katrina has demonstrated the need for effective planning in every area of public health and health care management. The lessons learned may lead to more investment in this area in the future. If you decide to undertake an online degree in public health or health care management, you could help make difference to ordinary people like those from Louisiana.

Online degrees in health care management are ideal for current health professionals such as nurses, therapists and administrators, allowing them to move into more strategic roles in health care delivery and information management. Public health degrees can lead to health care management on a larger scale.

If you think you have what it takes to work for the good of public health, this is the right time to get started in a public health career.

Sources:

The New York Times

About the Author

Fran Walker is a freelance writer, editor and researcher specializing in educational, health, safety and domestic issues. Previously, she spent five years in marketing in the self-help, health and health and safety sectors before leaving to start a family. She now edits and writes content for the U.K. Health and Safety Executive. Fran graduated in 1993 with an honors degree in English Literature

Posted on: October 11, 2005