Poverty, Disparities, Disasters and Global Burden of Disease

Abstract

The world socio-economic situation contributes to increasing poverty, disparities and poor accces to health. Rising poverty levels and disparities continue to slow, and in some cases negate, the hard won achievement in global health. Natural disasters are also on the rise, killing people, destroying services, communities and medical infrastructure, and further exacerbating the plight of the poor and already medically underserved populations. A more efficient use, collaboration and integration of national and international medical and health resources and services will help improve health in vulnerable populations.

Disaster vulnerability of elderly and medically frail populations

“…Compared to the rest of the population residing in the same disaster zone, the elderly and the medically frail disproportionately experience greater morbidity and mortality during a disaster (Benson, 2007;Cherniack et al, 2008;Colten, Kates, & Laska, 2008;Doran et al, 2016;Fernandez et al, 2002;Nicogossian et al, 2012;Powell et al, 2009;. During the 1995 heat wave in Chicago, 73% of the people who died were elderly (Crook & Vu, 2011).…”

“…Elders are also less likely to recover economically from the expenses related to the disaster, making them at high-risk for poverty. Abramson et al, 2015a;Abramson et al, 2015b;Ardalan et al, 2010;Benson, 2007;Christensen & Castaneda, 2014;DeVos, 2011;Durant, 2011;Fernandez et al, 2002;Fonseca et al, 2009;HelpAge International, 1999;Henderson et al, 2010;Hoopes-Haplin, 2013;Jhung et al, 2007;Lamb et al, 2008;Mokdad et al, 2005;Nicogossian et al, 2012;Pekovic et al, 2007;Powell et al, 2009;Prasad, 2012;Seplaki et al, 2006;Smith & Notaro, 2009;Zakour, 2015 Low education: Elderly or medically frail individuals who have a low education level are vulnerable in disaster due to their difficulty or inability to access quality information resources. Durant, 2011;Seplaki et al, 2006 Continued on next page:…”

The Role of Academic Partnership in Disaster Risk Management: A Systematic Review

“…It is estimated that 2011 has been the costliest year ever at a staggering US$380 billion. 3 Equally important, health, economic, and social impacts of disease outbreaks are persistent and manifold. A year after the onset of Ebola, the estimated GDP loss for the 3 countries in 2015 totaled US$2.2 billion (US $240 million for Liberia, US$535 million for Guinea, and US$1.4 billion for Sierra Leone).…”

Hurricanes, Response, and Community Health Resilience

“…Socioeconomic disparities and post‐traumatic stress disorders demand continuous attention (Nicogossian et al, ). Frail elderly people are particularly vulnerable during hurricanes (McCann, ).…”