Community resilience in Walkerton, Canada: Sixteen years post-outbreak

摘要: Abstract The implications of a public health emergency on community may be devastating and long-term. severity the depends gravity capacity individuals communities to respond recover from its effects. However, long-term emergencies are often excluded disaster management research making it difficult determine whether truly able achieve maintain resilience post-crisis. This interdisciplinary, qualitative study examined impacts May 2000 Escherichia coli outbreak in Walkerton, Canada sixteen years post-outbreak present-day status community. Semi-structured interviews focus groups were conducted with purposeful sample 29 Walkerton members. data transcribed verbatim coded using conventional content analysis identify themes inductively. study's findings reveal importance various elements social capital dimension facilitating (i.e., building, positive perspective) hindering ongoing effects) community's collective today both directly indirectly. Some elements, including local economy, government, rural characteristics, preparedness, reputation act as facilitators barriers component resilience. this work critical for designing preparedness recovery programs situations, particularly communities. They also suggest program plans strategies should encompass proactive, long-term, community-centered approach integrating capital.