Disasters, the environment, and public health: improving our response.

Abstract

Natural and human-made disasters continue to adversely affect all areas of the world in both predictable and unpredictable ways. To highlight the importance of natural disasters, the United Nations declared the 1990s the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. This paper considers the public health response to disasters. It highlights environmental health issues and approaches since disasters are extreme environmental events, and it reviews developments relating to capacity building, training, and collaboration. Although progress is noted, a comprehensive federal or academic approach is not evident in the United States and the proper linkage to environmental health is lacking. With the International Decade now half over, public health professionals and others involved with disaster management should reflect on progress made to date and goals for the future.

Natural and technologic hazardous material releases during and after natural disasters: a review

“…Funding and other types of support aimed at decreasing the likelihood of future events may only follow increased consideration of disaster-related hazmat issues in environmental health reviews or strategy documents (Logue, 1996). A complete, systematic assessment of hazardous material releases during natural disasters is needed to generate interest in and identify options for risk management.…”

Disaster preparedness and response practices among providers from the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans with spinal cord injuries and/or disorders

“…1 Despite substantial worldwide initiatives, including the designation of the 1990s as the 'International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction' 2 and the subsequent implementation of the 'International Strategy for Disaster Reduction',disasters killed over 235 000 people worldwide, impacted another 211 million, and cost over 181 billion in U.S. dollars. 4 In the U.S., Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in national history, claimed the lives of nearly 2000 people and caused over $80 billion in damage when it struck the Gulf Coast region in 2005.…”

Cities and Calamities: Learning from Post-Disaster Response in Indonesia

“…Typically, though, vulnerable groups include: the poor, women, children, the elderly, the handicapped, and people with preexisting mental disorders 14. These groups may suffer disproportionately during a disaster, may need specialized medical attention during the relief phase, and could have specific concerns during the recovery such as their ability to access appropriate health care services.…”