Abstract for: The Puerto Rico Emergency Preparedness Model

The Puerto Rico Emergency Preparedness Model simulates the impacts of major events such as hurricanes on the demand for health care and capacity of the health care system. The model enables its users to simulate events with different characteristics and try out different forms of mitigation for reducing the health care consequences of those events. Development of the model began with an earlier model. That model was expanded by representing the populations and health care delivery resources of Puerto Rico’s seven geographic regions. Other data on Puerto Rico’s population, its health status, and health care were also inserted into the model. Particular attention was paid to simulating hurricanes and influenza pandemics. The project culminated with a training session and production of a Users’ Manual to support the model’s ongoing use.