Health & Human services

Long Beach Zika Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) 

CASPER is an epidemiologic tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assess public health needs in both disaster and non-disaster settings. Using a two-stage, household-based sampling approach, CASPER is designed to provide information about health status, basic needs, knowledge, attitudes, or practices of a community in a quick and low-cost manner. 

The primary objectives of the Long Beach Zika CASPER were:  

1. Evaluate residents’ knowledge of Zika virus
2. Assess knowledge of all mosquito-borne diseases and how to protect from mosquitoes
3. Identify and manage potential mosquito breeding sites (Vector Control) 

The data collected during the CASPER will be used to: 

1. Target future messaging around Zika and other public health emergencies
2. Strengthen Zika Response Plan based on findings from CASPER
3. Focus efforts of Vector Control to areas most likely to breed Aedes mosquitoes

Long Beach Zika CASPER Final Report