Key features of a trauma-informed public health emergency approach: A rapid review

• Main Authors: Heris, Christina L., Kennedy, Michelle, Graham, Simon, Bennetts, Shannon K., Atkinson, Caroline, Mohamed, Janine, Woods, Cindy, Chennall, Richard, Chamberlain, Catherine
• Other Authors: The University of Newcastle. College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing, School of Medicine and Public Health
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Research Foundation 2022
• Subjects: trauma-informed; public health emergency; COVID-19; complex trauma; CPTSD; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; SDG 16; Sustainable Development Goals; First Nations
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1482045

COVID-19 is a major threat to public safety, and emergency public health measures to protect lives (e.g., lockdown, social distancing) have caused widespread disruption. While these measures are necessary to prevent catastrophic trauma and grief, many people are experiencing heightened stress and fear. Public health measures, risks of COVID-19 and stress responses compound existing inequities in our community. First Nations communities are particularly at risk due to historical trauma, ongoing socio-economic deprivation, and lack of trust in government authorities as a result of colonization. The objective of this study was to review evidence for trauma-informed public health emergency responses to inform development of a culturally-responsive trauma-informed public health emergency framework for First Nations communities. We searched relevant databases from 1/1/2000 to 13/11/2020 inclusive, which identified 40 primary studies (and eight associated references) for inclusion in this review. Extracted data were subjected to framework and thematic synthesis. No studies reported evaluations of a trauma-informed public health emergency response. However, included studies highlighted key elements of a “trauma-informed lens,” which may help to consider implications, reduce risks and foster a sense of security, wellbeing, self- and collective-efficacy, hope and resilience for First Nations communities during COVID-19. We identified key elements for minimizing the impact of compounding trauma on First Nations communities, including: a commitment to equity and human rights, cultural responsiveness, good communication, and positive leadership. The six principles guiding trauma-informed culturally-responsive public health emergency frameworks included: (i) safety, (ii) empowerment, (iii) holistic support, (iv) connectedness and collaboration, (v) compassion and caring, and (vi) trust and transparency in multi-level responses, well-functioning social systems, and provision of basic services. These findings will be discussed ...