Suchergebnisse

Although at the start of the 21st century bioterrorism was newly feared by the public at large, it is one threat that institutions have attempted to anticipate for years. Originally published in 2003, and now with a new introduction, this unique 2-volume collection provides a multi-disciplinary resource on the challenges bioterrorism poses for American society and institutions, from both legal and political institutions, on one hand, to public health and medical institutions on the other. Volume one documents and analyses the challenge bioterrorism poses to these political, economic and legal institutions, putting bioterrorism into its historical context as a problem discussed and anticipated by government for decades. Volume two documents the challenges bioterrorism poses to public health and public policy as a weapon of disease and fear. The materials in these volumes provide case histories and discourse by specialists relating to the ways that the bioterrorism threat has been perceived and approached by US health and law institutions.

This article examines urban power and community movements when a city is consumed by a major disaster. Using New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina as its case study, this investigation will identify discriminatory police practices, public-private development policies, and ethnopolitical leadership that reproduced historic racial and class inequality in post-Katrina New Orleans. This study will argue that it was not so-called disaster capitalism, but automatic or "reflexive" re-development (Ulrich Beck's concept) that revived the city's traditional racial caste and structural class stratification. Finally, this policy mix in disaster response initiatives overshadowed specific strategies and goals for rebuilding advocated by community-based movements.

Purpose
The role of first responders in mitigating the effects of earthquakes is vital. Unlike other disasters, earthquakes are not single events, and exposure to dangerous and trauma-inducing events may be ongoing. Understanding how first responders cope in the face of such conditions is important, for both their own well-being as well as the general public whom they serve. The paper aims to discuss these issues.


Design/methodology/approach
Using questionnaires, this study measured posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological resilience, and reactive coping styles in a sample of first responders active during the 2011 Canterbury earthquake in New Zealand.


Findings
The prevalence of PTSD was similar to that reported in the literature. Psychological resilience, but not disaster exposure, was found to be associated with PTSD. Maladaptive coping strategies best predicted resiliency, but there were significant gender differences.


Originality/value
These findings can inform those managing first responder disaster workers through the consideration of preventive and treatment interventions.

In the context of military chaplaincy changing alongside a fluid global and New Zealand spiritual environment, this study aimed to elucidate the nature of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) chaplains' (Padres') role as providers of spiritual care to military personnel. Twelve NZDF Padres were interviewed and the transcripts thematically analysed. Three overarching themes emerged. Firstly, definitions and understandings of spirituality were informed by a Christian framework, however this often remained unspoken in their approach. Secondly Padres' pastoral approach was holistic and relational as they actively lived and trained with other personnel. Thirdly, Padres acknowledged various role tensions, for example between their Christian values and the defence force mandate to use lethal force. Padres clearly professionally navigate the multi-cultural, multi-faith and non-faith needs that arise in the contemporary NZDF.