Advocating for Health in a Politically Complex World: Integrating Situational Awareness and Disaster Mindset into Multilevel Advocacy Resilience Framework (MARF)

Disasters and emergencies, from natural hazards to complex crises, demand a fundamental shift in traditional management paradigms. At all levels of disaster and emergency management, from frontline responders to high-level policymakers, 2 integrated concepts—situational awareness and a disaster mindset—are critical for effective response and resilience. Situational awareness is not merely the collection of data; it’s the dynamic and continuous process of perceiving, comprehending, and projecting a holistic understanding of the operational environment, including evolving threats, available resources, and stakeholder dynamics. When fused with a disaster mindset—a psychological and strategic posture characterized by proactive anticipation, radical adaptability, and decisive action under pressure—it creates a powerful framework for navigating uncertainty. This paper, presented as the Frederick M. (“Skip”) Burkle lecture, proposes a new, integrated framework that systematically applies these concepts to enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness across all managerial tiers, enabling a transition from a reactive to a proactive and resilient posture in the face of escalating global complexities.