As a future leader in the field of public health, you may face many chronic health threats to various systems. As you work to combat these threats and ensure community wellness, you are likely to become an agent of social change. This objective may be more challenging, although more critical, to achieve in matters such as in public health emergencies and outbreaks. For leaders, outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics elicit critical and timely attention to situations in public health.
In this week’s article by Osterholm, the author presents a possibility of another pandemic. Using this Learning Resource as well as 2–4 additional resources you may find from the Walden Library, current events, etc., consider your leadership perspective during a pandemic influenza outbreak in the United States.
As you collaborate with your group, individually, select one of the following leadership roles that would respond during this outbreak:
- Director, FEMA
- Director, CDC
- Governor of an afflicted state (THIS ONE)
- Incident Response Commander
- Response Leader, American Red Cross (or other non-governmental organization)
After selecting your leadership role, use a systems approach to work with your group to establish immediate response in preventing another pandemic.
The Assignment–Part 1:
Individual Case Analysis (2 pages, APA Format, 3-4 References)
Based on the leadership role you selected for the assignment, include the following:
- A summary of the leadership challenges this leader would face in assuring the system changes necessary to be prepared for the next pandemic
- An explanation of how your leadership challenges as this leader relate to challenges of the other leaders listed above
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This assignment requires a leadership perspective during a pandemic influenza outbreak in the United States. The individual needs to select a leadership role and use a systems approach to establish an immediate response in preventing another pandemic. This answer will focus on the leadership role of a Governor of an afflicted state.
Answer:
The Governor of an afflicted state faces leadership challenges in assuring the system changes necessary to be prepared for the next pandemic. As a leader, the Governor has the responsibility to coordinate with federal agencies, health departments, and local officials to develop policies and protocols to prevent and control the spread of the virus. The Governor needs to ensure adequate resources are available to hospitals, healthcare professionals, and public health workers to effectively manage the outbreak.
Moreover, the Governor needs to develop a communication strategy to provide accurate and timely information to the public. This strategy should include guidelines for social distancing, the use of masks, and other protective measures. The Governor needs to create a platform for experts to provide updates on the current situation, what measures are being taken, and how to stay safe during the outbreak.
The leadership challenges of a Governor of an afflicted state are related to the challenges of other leaders in this scenario. For instance, the Director of FEMA and Incident Response Commander require coordination with the Governor to provide resources and coordinate efforts. The Director of CDC requires a collaboration with the Governor to create an effective communication strategy to control the outbreak. The Response Leader, American Red Cross, requires coordination with the Governor to provide essential services to the affected population.
In conclusion, the Governor of an afflicted state has a crucial leadership role to play during a pandemic influenza outbreak. The Governor should take a proactive approach to ensure the preparedness of the system, manage the outbreak effectively, and develop a communication strategy to provide accurate and timely updates to the public. The Governor should work with other leaders to coordinate efforts and ensure a coordinated response.