PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G A Luz

Publications and source records attributed to G A Luz.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Military participation in emergency humanitarian assistance.

Military forces of the United States and other countries possess training, equipment and capabilities that are suited for work in disaster preparedness and assistance. Information on the use of military units in domestic and foreign disaster-related efforts, particularly by United States forces in the medical area, was obtained by review of the literature and unpublished military reports, and from interviews with people who have been involved with disaster-related activities. The historical reasons for viewing United States forces as resources in disaster situations are identified. Additionally, issues and problems related to disaster preparedness and assistance in general, and more specifically, to the past and future use of military personnel for this mission are examined. The need for a defined military mission for emergency humanitarian assistance and the need for a military organizational structure to support this mission are identified. Once these two critical issues have been properly addressed, the United States military should participate in the establishment of a disaster institute for joint civilian-military disaster planning and training, in both domestic and foreign areas.

Disaster Planning↗

The role of military medicine in military civic action.

We are moving into an era when U.S. military forces will be called upon frequently to perform military civic action (MCA) projects. Such projects, have been used successfully and unsuccessfully, primarily in the areas of medicine and engineering, to enhance the standing of military forces with indigenous populations. However, the available criteria for planning and assessing MCA projects are not widely known. These related and overlapping criteria are supported by facts, interpretative data, anecdotes, and common sense, but none can be considered absolute. Selected criteria are defined, reviewed, and illustrated with examples of past successes and failures.

Humans↗

Donor and nondonor motivations.

In an attempt to gain insight into the motivations of blood donors and nondonors, two paper and pencil questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 7,000 individuals. In response, 1,429 nondonors and 200 donors completed and returned usable questionnaires. Among donors, awareness of the need for blood, altruism, and investment for the future (blood credit) were the chief motivating factors. Among nondonors the major deterrent was belief in medical disqualification. Of the 33 per cent who claimed medical disqualification, 40 per cent gave clearly invalid or questionable reasons. Fear, while a substantial factor among nondonors, was not as great a deterrent to blood donation as had been previously thought. A dimension focusing upon failure to confront the issue of donating was derived and found to equal or exceed fear in importance. The influence of such items as sex, age, number of donations, and number of children on reasons expressed was examined. The major results were compared with the findings of previous studies. An approach-avoidance model of blood donation was outlined, and implications for donor recruitment are discussed.

Adult↗