DISASTERS AND HEALTH: HOW DO DISASTERS AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH?

Disasters have numerous impacts on human health, although the nature of these effects varies by location, resilience of the social system, and vulnerability of the population. In the short run, the major sources of mortality and morbidity are from injury (trauma) and drowning. In addition, disasters can result in either the appearance or increasing prevalence of infectious diseases. This is a complex relationship and depends on the ecosystem and social system characteristics, as well as climate. These diseases are both vector-borne and those transmitted by other means. In addition, links to increased rates of sudden cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction ("heart attacks") and other diseases that are usually termed "chronic." Finally, the psycho-social impacts of disasters can be very significant. The most frequently noted disorders are affective and mood disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Understanding the relationships between disasters and health is fundamental to mitigating and even preventing these effects, yet many of the relationships between disasters and health remain uncertain.