Center for Global Health Leads Revision of Pediatrics in Disasters Training Program to Address Needs of Refugees, Displaced Populations and Children Caught in High Conflict areas

The revision of the course focuses more directly on sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East – where there has been an increase in conflict, refugees and displaced populations. The initial PEDs training program targeted Latin America and the Caribbean. Some of the updates include treatment of viruses such as Ebola; updates for nutrition and management of malnutrition; updates to the WHO's Integrated Case Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI); integration of Helping Babies Breathe® into the newborn module; and updated recommendations for treating malaria.

"Because of the vulnerability of children and adolescents, health professionals must ensure that local, regional and national disaster preparedness planning meets this population's specific needs, which are different from adult populations," said Stephen Berman, MD, FAAP, Course Director for all Pediatrics in Disasters trainings held around the world and Director of the Center for Global Health at the Colorado School of Public Health in partnership with Children's Hospital Colorado. "Our hope with the PEDs training is that humanitarian response organizations will utilize our materials in advance of a crisis so they are better prepared to address these needs."

The Center for Global Health developed the PEDs training curriculum to be taken online or in person. Since 2012, the PEDs training program has been held every October or November in Colorado at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Participants include medical, nursing and public health students, residents, fellows and faculty, as well as physicians and health professionals from around the world. Additionally, between 2008 and 2015, 24 PEDs training courses have been held in 16 low and middle-income countries throughout Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

"A quarter of the world's population is under the age of five, so it is no surprise that 50 percent of the victims of man-made and natural disasters are children," added Dr. Berman. "Children are particularly vulnerable in high conflict areas for physiological, psychological and developmental reasons. Too often medical staff are ill-prepared for pediatric triage and emergency stabilization in terms of knowledge and experience, as well as equipment and supplies."

Last year, facilitators taught the PEDs training program to healthcare and humanitarian workers in Kenya, Mexico, Argentina and Colorado. The Center for Global Health team hopes to conduct trainings in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya in the coming next year.  

There will be a minimal charge of $25.00 for the revised online training. If a participant wishes to obtain a certificate of successful completion the cost is $100.00. However, international agencies, such as non-governmental organizations, with local health professionals who cannot pay the minimal charge may request to take the course at no charge. Each of these requests will be decided on an individual basis. For more information visit: Pediatrics in Disasters.

About the Center for Global Health
The Center for Global Health is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Colorado School of Public Health, the University of Colorado School of Medicine/Department of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Colorado, which enables them to leverage innovative and creative advances in the global standard of health through teaching, research, practice and service.

About Children's Hospital Colorado
Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) has defined and delivered pediatric health care excellence for more than 100 years. Founded in 1908, Children's Colorado is a leading pediatric network entirely devoted to the health and well-being of children. Continually acknowledged as one of the nation's outstanding pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and ranked on its Best Children's Hospitals 2016-17 Honor Roll, Children's Colorado is known for both its nationally and internationally recognized medical, research, education and advocacy programs, as well as comprehensive everyday care for kids throughout Colorado and surrounding states. Children's Colorado is the winner of the 2015 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize, and is a 2013-2016 Most Wired hospital according to Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. Children's Colorado also is recognized for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Centers and has been designated a Magnet® hospital since 2005. The hospital's family-centered, collaborative approach combines the nation's top pediatric doctors, nurses and researchers to pioneer new approaches to pediatric medicine. With urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Metro Denver and Southern Colorado, including its campus on the Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Colorado provides a full spectrum of pediatric specialties. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org and connect with Children's Colorado on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

About Colorado School of Public Health
The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top tier faculty and students from across the country, and providing a vital contribution towards ensuring our region's health and wellbeing. Collaboratively formed in 2008 by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado, the Colorado School of Public Health provides training, innovative research and community service to actively address public health issues including chronic disease, access to healthcare, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and costly injuries. Learn more and follow ColoradoSPH's updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact: 
Natalie Goldstein
Children's Hospital Colorado
Pager: 303-890-8314

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SOURCE Children’s Hospital Colorado

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