Three Decades of Disasters: A Review of Disaster-Specific Literature from 1977–2009

Abstract

Introduction:The potential for disasters exists in all communities. To mitigate the potential catastrophes that confront humanity in the new millennium, an evidence-based approach to disaster management is required urgently. This study moves toward such an evidence-based approach by identifying peer-reviewed publications following a range of disasters and events over the past three decades.Methods:Peer-reviewed, event-specific literature was identified using a comprehensive search of the electronically indexed database, MEDLINE (1956–January 2009). An extended comprehensive search was conducted for one event to compare the event-specific literature indexed in MEDLINE to other electronic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, CENTRAL, Psych Info, Maternity and Infant Care, EBM Reviews).Results:Following 25 individual disasters or overwhelming crises, a total of 2,098 peer-reviewed, event-specific publications were published in 789 journals (652 publications following disasters/events caused by natural hazards, 966 following human-made/technological disasters/events, and 480 following conflict/complex humanitarian events).The event with the greatest number of peer-reviewed, event-specific publications was the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks (686 publications). Prehospital and Disaster Medicine published the greatest number of peer-reviewed, event-specific publications (54), followed by Journal of Traumatic Stress (42), Military Medicine (40), and Psychiatric Services (40). The primary topics of event-specific publications were mental health, medical health, and response. When an extended, comprehensive search was conducted for one event, 75% of all peer-reviewed, event-specific publications were indexed in MEDLINE.Conclusions:A broad range of multi-disciplinary journals publish peer-reviewed, event-specific publications. While the majority of peer-reviewed, event-specific literature is indexed in MEDLINE, comprehensive search strategies should include EMBASE to increase yield.

Medical rehabilitation of spinal cord injury following earthquakes in rehabilitation resource-scarce settings: implications for disaster research

“…This paucity of SCI-specific literature reflects the broader disaster evidence base. Although a recent comprehensive review of disaster-specific literature revealed 'medical health' as the leading primary research topic following natural disasters (38%), 34 a related investigation found that 'health-care provision' and 'specific diseases' comprised only 10.2% of the topics in developing-world disaster publications. Moreover, o1% of articles retrieved addressed disasters in the developing world, where, in fact, 85% of disasters occur.…”

Wilderness medicine

“…Although dramatic scenarios such as crush injuries and amputations grab news media attention, the basics of hygiene and water sanitation are just as critical in disaster management as is the deployment of trained response personnel into devastated areas. [127][128][129] …”

Mental health, natural and human-made disasters: lessons learnt and future needs

“…A wide review of disaster-specific literature published from 1977 to 2009 (Smith et al 2009) showed that following 25 individual disasters or overwhelming crises, a total of 2098 peer-reviewed, event-specific publications were published in 789 journals (652 publications following disasters/events caused by natural hazards, 966 following human-made/technological disasters/events and 480 following conflict/complex humanitarian events). The event with the greatest number of peer-reviewed, event-specific publications was the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks (686 publications).…”

“…To mitigate the potential catastrophes that humanity is facing in the new millennium, an evidence-based approach to disaster management is urgently required (Smith et al 2009).…”

“…Per mitigare le catastrofi potenziali che aspettano l'umanità nel nuovo millennio, è urgentemente necessario un approccio evidence-based per la gestione dei disastri (Smith et al 2009). …”