While emergencies impact all community members, some populations experience greater risks before, during, and after an emergency event. Understanding the needs of high-risk populations is essential for ensuring that all community members are considered in emergency planning, logistics, and response operations. This course will provide participants with the skills to identify high-risk populations, reduce barriers that would otherwise limit engagement, and offer equitable, effective emergency support.

During this course, participants will learn:

How to utilize community resources that support high-risk populations.

How to identify populations that may require additional support during emergencies and the barriers they face in accessing care; 

The importance of developing equitable, inclusive, and accessible emergency plans;

Best practices for preserving the dignity of high-risk populations during emergency response and recovery;

Course Leader: Michelle McLean

Michelle McLean is a PhD Candidate in Population Health at the University of Ottawa. She has worked across academic, government, and non-profit sectors to reduce disaster risk and build resilient, inclusive communities. Her research focuses on making crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) more accessible and has resulted in the development of an Accessible CERC Framework to help emergency management organizations design and deliver communication that is accessible, inclusive, and effective for diverse communities. She is currently collaborating with Ottawa Public Health to apply this work in practice by developing tools and guidance to support more accessible emergency communication.

Michelle’s previous experience includes roles in identifying indicators for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) at Public Health Ontario, developing post–COVID-condition guidelines with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and collaborating with Indigenous partners on initiatives to expand access to remote, culturally competent trauma care. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing equity and ensuring that no one is left behind in emergency management and public health systems.