Identifying and Describing the Impact of Cyclone, Storm and Flood Related Disasters on Treatment Management, Care and Exacerbations of Non-communicable Diseases and the Implications for Public Health

Abstract

Introduction: Over the last quarter of a century the frequency of natural disasters and the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD) across the globe have been increasing. For individuals susceptible to, or chronically experiencing, NCDs this has become a significant risk. Disasters jeopardize access to essential treatment, care, equipment, water and food, which can result in an exacerbation of existing conditions or even preventable death. Consequently, there is a need to expand the public health focus of disaster management to include NCDs. To provide a platform for this to occur, this article presents the results from a systematic review that identifies and describes the impact of cyclone, flood and storm related disasters on those susceptible to, or experiencing, NCDs. The NCDs researched were: cardiovascular diseases; cancers; chronic respiratory diseases; and diabetes. Methods: Four electronic publication databases were searched with a date limit of 31 December 2014. The data was analyzed through an aggregation of individual papers to create an overall data description. The data was then grouped by disease to describe the impact of a disaster on treatment management, exacerbation, and health care of people with NCDs. The PRISMA checklist was used to guide presentation of the research. Results: The review identified 48 relevant articles. All studies represented developed country data. Disasters interrupt treatment management and overall care for people with NCDs, which results in an increased risk of exacerbation of their illness or even death. The interruption may be caused by a range of factors, such as damaged transport routes, reduced health services, loss of power and evacuations. The health impact varied according to the NCD. For people with chronic respiratory diseases, a disaster increases the risk of acute exacerbation. Meanwhile, for people with cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes there is an increased risk of their illness exacerbating, which can result in death. Conclusion: Cyclone, flood and storm related disasters impact on treatment management and care for people with NCDs. Possible consequences include exacerbation of illness, complications or even death. There is now a need to expand traditional disaster approaches by public health to incorporate NCDs. This must be guided by the major NCDs identified by the World Health Organization and implemented in-line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: 2015-2030. This includes understanding all the factors that influence both direct and indirect (preventable) morbidity and mortality related to NCDs during and after disasters. Once achieved, disaster planners and public health professionals will be in a position to develop and implement effective mitigation strategies.

Does the Type of Residential Housing Matter for Depressive Symptoms in the Aftermath of a Disaster? Insights from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

“…Natural disasters are increasing in frequency ( 1 – 3 ). Growing research has shown an association between natural disasters and mental health problems ( 4 – 8 ).…”

Acute post-disaster medical needs of patients with diabetes: emergency department use in New York City by diabetic adults after Hurricane Sandy

“…Respiratory symptoms (16) General symptoms (25) General symptoms (+13) General symptoms (12) Respiratory symptoms (19) Hypertension (+11) Heart failure (10) Hypertension (15) Myocardial infarction (+8) Sepsis (7) Heart failure (13) Hypertensive kidney disease (+8) Cellulitis or abscess (7) Myocardial infarction (12) Chronic bronchitis (+8) Urinary tract infection (7) Chronic bronchitis (12) Chronic kidney disease (+7) Asthma (7) Asthma (12) Prescription refills (+7) Abdominal/pelvic symptoms (6) Hypertensive kidney disease (10) Drug dependence (+7) Cardiac dysrhythmias (5) Sepsis (9) Dialysis dependence (+6) Ischemic heart disease (5) Ischemic heart disease (9) Electrolyte disorder (+6) Diagnoses in bold highlight the differences in categories before and after Hurricane Sandy's landfall. Post-procedural aftercare (17) Post-procedural aftercare (+11) Post-procedural aftercare (6) Chronic skin ulcer (14) Chronic skin ulcer (+9) Electrolyte disorder (6) Electrolyte disorder (13) Electrolyte disorder (+7) Ischemic heart disease (5) Hyperlipidemia (11) Post-procedural state (+7) Chronic skin ulcer (5) Post-procedural state (10) Overweight or obese (+5) Chronic kidney disease (4) Ischemic heart disease (10) Ischemic heart disease (+5) Hypertensive kidney disease (4) Drug abuse (8) Cardiac dysrhythmia (+4) Drug abuse (4) Chronic kidney disease (7) Chronic airway obstruction (+4) Other health hazards (7) Overweight or obese (7) Osteomyelitis (+4) Diagnoses in bold highlight the differences in categories before and after Hurricane Sandy's landfall.…”

“…Post-procedural aftercare (17) Post-procedural aftercare (+11) Post-procedural aftercare (6) Chronic skin ulcer (14) Chronic skin ulcer (+9) Electrolyte disorder (6) Electrolyte disorder (13) Electrolyte disorder (+7) Ischemic heart disease (5) Hyperlipidemia (11) Post-procedural state (+7) Chronic skin ulcer (5) Post-procedural state (10) Overweight or obese (+5) Chronic kidney disease (4) Ischemic heart disease (10) Ischemic heart disease (+5) Hypertensive kidney disease (4) Drug abuse (8) Cardiac dysrhythmia (+4) Drug abuse (4) Chronic kidney disease (7) Chronic airway obstruction (+4) Other health hazards (7) Overweight or obese (7) Osteomyelitis (+4) Diagnoses in bold highlight the differences in categories before and after Hurricane Sandy's landfall. ED, emergency department.…”

Cancer in the aftermath of Nepal's earthquakes

“…An earlier review of 48 published studies found natural disasters like cyclone, flood and storm impact on treatment management and care of people with Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with exacerbation of illness, complications or even death. 10 During post hurricane Katrina in the USA, availability of transportation affected access to cancer care in patients with early stage cancer. 11 We fear that a similar situation is likely as a result of the current natural crisis in Nepal.…”

“…Besides that, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), the traditional disaster approaches for 'building back better" needs to incorporate NCDs like cancer with understanding of direct and indirect (preventable) factors that exacerbate them during and after the disasters, to retain and restore health of people. 10 Healthy people are resilient, and quickly recover from emergencies and disaster like earthquakes. 17 So, it is imperative to Nepal's sustainable recovery and resilience to have disaster rebuilding, reconstruction and rehabilitation go hand in hand with health system-strengthening, building of population based registry to deal a menace of NCDs like cancer.…”