Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-6-2026

Identifier

DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2025.10052

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges and preparedness strategies for health care systems in responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies. It emphasizes the critical role of medical centers in pre-incident preparedness, immediate response, and long-term care, focusing on the need for coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal agencies. Key components include specialized training, resource allocation, triage protocols, and the integration of networks like the Radiation Injury Treatment Network and the American Burn Association. This paper highlights the importance of resilience through collaboration, infrastructure planning, and community support to manage mass casualties and mitigate long-term health consequences. It underscores the lessons learned from historical responses and contemporary challenges, advocating for a proactive approach to enhance health care system readiness in the face of catastrophic events.

Journal Title

Disaster Med Public Health Prep

Volume

20

First Page

31

Last Page

31

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Disaster Planning; Delivery of Health Care; Triage; Mass Casualty Incidents; Radioactive Hazard Release; United States

PubMed ID

41645553

Keywords

hospital systems; immediate response; improvised nuclear device; nuclear detonation; pre-incident preparedness; radiological dispersal device; resilience

Comments

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.

Publisher's Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/health-care-systems-responsibilities-and-resilience/6D00A1D13F95F3E95397D00A6B9D8477

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