Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) 

What is a CASPER? 

The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is an epidemiologic technique designed to provide public health leaders and emergency managers with household-based information about a community. It is quick, reliable, relatively inexpensive and flexible. 

The technique been utilized by local, state, regional and federal offices to conduct rapid needs assessment to determine health-based information about a community. The information generated can be used to initiate public health action, identify information gaps; facilitate disaster planning, response, and recovery activities; allocate resources and assess new or changing needs in the community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more information on CASPER at: www.cdc.gov/nceh/casper 

CASPERs in Travis County

APH staff with the support of volunteers from partners and community organizations have been conducting CASPERs for many years as a way to inform disaster response and learn directly from the community about needs.

2023 – Community Resilience CASPER 

The 2023 Community Resilience CASPER aimed to gauge the readiness of our community by meeting with community members in the Eastern Crescent of the City of Austin and Travis County to gather information that will guide our future disaster planning, response, and recovery.

Members of the 2023 CASPER interview a community member.

2017 – Community Health Assessment (CHA) 

The purpose of the 2017 CHA CASPER was to describe community perceptions of health needs and strengths in Travis County. The survey evaluated access and barriers to healthcare, healthy food and transportation. 

A member of the 2017 CHA CASPER team interviews a resident.

  • Type: Non-disaster Community Survey 
  • County: Travis County 
  • Report: 2017 CHA Report 

2016 – Zika CASPER 

The June 2016 Zika CASPER was developed and planned as Zika Virus became an emergent public health issue. The survey asked questions about the community’s understanding of mosquito-borne diseases, prevention practices, and emergency preparedness. 

Members of the 2016 Zika CASPER team visit a resident's home.

  • Type: Emergency Preparedness 
  • County: Travis County 
  • Report: 2016 Zika CASPER

2013 – Halloween Floods 

CASPER conducted in affected flood areas two weeks after flooding occurred. The survey was used to determine public health needs and community concerns. The survey information was provided to local officials for situational awareness and to understand community needs to recover.

Members of the 2013 Halloween Floods CASPER mobilize.

  • Type: Disaster Response
  • County: Travis County 

2011 - Bastrop Wildfire 

APH staff assisted the Texas Department of State Health Services to conduct a CASPER to learn about community needs following the Bastrop Wildfires.