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The American Red Cross has been on the forefront of research and testing, especially when it comes to blood. It was one of the first organizations to implement the testing of infectious diseases and is a single major contributor to clinical trials to improve blood safety according to their site. They were also among the first to develop testing for not only infectious disease, but HIV, Hepatitis B and C, West Nile, and Chagas disease. Currently they are actually working on a study in which they are investigating the blood supply for a tick-borne parasite in donated blood. They often work with the CDC and are always innovating ways to monitor donor blood by way of antibody recognition as well as disease detection and transmission. 

The policy effects vulnerable populations as it deals with those injured, displaced, or otherwise effected by a disaster. While the act doesn’t specifically effect a population that is currently vulnerable, individuals displaced by a disaster are dependent on the help of relief organizations and their community. This leaves them incredibly vulnerable and in need of the support systems detailed in this policy.

"Data from this study provide the opportunity for addressing not only problems of medical care and public health, but for reflecting on theoretical and methodological questions central to this book as well."

"As the interviews went on, it became evident that "fainting" is a cultural category often used to describe classical tonic--clonic seizures. However, the term is associated with a more general semantic domain that includes fainting occurring in times of acute distress or in the context of a life of suffering, and is less stigmatizing than the term "epilepsy."

"Narrative theory describes two aspects of plot: plot as the underlying structure of a story, and "emplotment'' as the activity of a reader or hearer of a story who engages imaginatively in making sense of the story. Both are relevant to the analysis of illness narratives."

There are two authors Andrew Lakoff and Stephen Collier. Andrew Lakoff works at USC and has roughly 40 publications. He is a professor of anthropology, sociology and communication at USC and has written many works with Stephen Collier. Collier has about 36 publications, and is a professor of international affairs at The New School. They are not directly involved in emergency response research but they do a lot of international studies related to medicine and disaster.

The US Department of Veteran Affairs is constantly adjusting to new medical research to provide the most effective care possible. This shows a differing approach to emergency response which is only possible due to the long term nature of this organization, most emergency response groups focus on quick response to disasters which does not allow for the same amount of research and adaptation as the Department of Veteran Affairs.