What are the elements that define a public health crisis?

Objectives: To propose the basis for the scientific definition of public health crisis and its possible forms of presentation, which serves as a tool to declare them, do early identification of real and potential crises and develop their respective management plans. Methods: A systematic review of literature published in the last 10 years regarding crisis and public health emergencies in English and Spanish was done. We reviewed reports from different Spanish and international public health crisis to identify their defining elements. To these, the model of deconstruction of definitions into elements descriptors and modifiers was applied. We analyzed the understanding of the meaning of terms, implicit in the context in which these terms were used. Results: Many and heterogeneous situations are called public health crisis according to the author, institution or authority that mention them. We propose a scientific definition, levels and forms of presentation of these crises and the potential accountable team. In response to the question: What are the elements that define a public health crisis? We propose an easy checklist of necessary elements to its statement. Conclusions: The terms emergency, disaster and crisis must be used properly in public health. The proposed definition meets the requirements for the declaration of real public health crisis and can help, from the conceptual point of view, to clarify its occurrence and promote the preparation and management of actual and future crises. The proposed checklist is an useful tool to declare public health crisis.
Keywords: Public health, Crisis, Crises, Emergency, Disaster, Definition