Public Health Approach to Disaster The photograph shows the demolished bridge after the strike of the Guatemala Earthquake, and demonstrates the logistical obstacles during the relief period. The image illustrates the massive destruction brought by Cyclone Bhola hitting Bangladesh. Communities residing along the coastal area faced the most serious disruption. 1.0 Introduction: A Brief History Why begin with history? History allows us to view how public health approaches to medical disaster response emerged. This understanding helps us appreciate the usefulness and significance of “Disaster Public Health” and puts into context the conclusions drawn from previous disasters, current challenges and future developments. One of the earliest papers published about the public health impact on disaster management can be dated back to the early 1970’s. Below are three lessons learnt from the 1970’s. 1970 A tropical cyclone hit the coast of Bangladesh in 1970, resulting in over 250,000 deaths. Results of health surveys in the disaster-affected communities demonstrated the complicated matrix of needs and risks faced by different stakeholders in disaster situations. The publication highlighted the value and necessity of early on the spot needs assessments in providing valid and timely data for disaster relief. (Sommer & Mosley, 1972) 1972 Dr. Western, an epidemiologist, highlighted that the health of a population exhibits patterns of morbidity and mortality specific to disaster type and disease profile of a particular region. (Sommer & Mosley, 1972) 1976 Publications following a major earthquake that caused an estimated 23,000 deaths in Guatemala served as the cornerstone studies in the short history of evidence-based medical and public health response in disaster situations. Publications following the earthquake highlighted:
Public Health Approach to DisasterThe photograph shows the
demolished bridge after the strike of the Guatemala Earthquake,and
demonstrates the logistical obstacles during the relief period.The
image illustrates the massive destruction brought by Cyclone Bhola
hitting Bangladesh. Communities residing along the coastal area
faced themost serious disruption.1.0 Introduction: A Brief
HistoryWhy begin with history?History allows us to view how
publichealth approaches to medical disasterresponse emerged. This
understandinghelps us appreciate the usefulness andsignificance of
Disaster PublicHealth and puts into context theconclusions drawn
from previousdisasters, current challenges and
futuredevelopments.One of the earliest papers publishedabout the
public health impact ondisaster management can be dated backto the
early 1970s. Below are threelessons learnt from the 1970s.1970A
tropical cyclone hit the coastof Bangladesh in 1970,resulting in
over 250,000deaths. Results of healthsurveys in the
disaster-affectedcommunities demonstrated thecomplicated matrix of
needsand risks faced by differentstakeholders in
disastersituations. The publicationhighlighted the value
andnecessity of early on the spotneeds assessments in
providingvalid and timely data fordisaster relief. (Sommer
&Mosley, 1972)1972Dr. Western, an epidemiologist, highlighted
that the health of a population exhibits patterns of morbidity
andmortality specific to disaster type and disease profile of a
particular region. (Sommer & Mosley, 1972)1976Publications
following a major earthquake that caused an estimated 23,000 deaths
in Guatemala served as thecornerstone studies in the short history
of evidence-based medical and public health response in disaster
situations.Publications following the earthquake highlighted:The
significant logistical challenges and deficiencies in the
international relief system.(Spencer et al., 1977; de Ville de
Goyet et al., 1976)The plausible use of disaster research
methodology in identifying risk factorsassociatedwith specific
negative health outcome associated with the disaster, and hence,
effective,targeted interventions could be implemented as means of
health protection.(Glass et al., 1980)Stop-and-Think: The
Significance of Public Health and DisasterDisasters have occurred
throughout history. Why do you think the findings of those
publications were particularlyimportant?Copyright 2014. All Rights
Reserved. Emily Ying Yang CHAN [link: /copyright.php ]
