Underserved and Functional Needs Populations (UFNP)

UFNP may include, but are not limited to, those who have disabilities; who are elderly; who are children; who are from diverse cultures; who have limited English proficiency or are non-English speaking; who are pregnant; who are transportation disadvantaged; who have chronic medical conditions; who have pharmacological dependency; or who are poor. 

Disasters negatively impact everyone. However, before, during and after a disaster, certain underserved and functional needs populations are disproportionately impacted. Consequently, they may have greater difficulty accessing public health, medical and emergency preparedness services in one or more of the following functional areas: communication, medical care, maintaining independence, supervision, and transportation.

The Office of Local Public Health is committed to strengthening regional collaboration and coordination among health departments, emergency planners and nongovernmental community partners to address public health, medical (including behavioral health) and emergency preparedness needs of Underserved and Functional Needs Populations.

• governmental and nongovernmental resources for UFNP