Natural Disasters: The Surgeon's Role

Natural Disasters

Epidemics after Natural Disasters

The relationship between natural disasters and communicable diseases is frequently misconstrued. The risk for outbreaks is often presumed to be very high in the chaos that follows natural disasters, a fear likely derived from a perceived association between dead bodies and epidemics. However, the risk factors for outbreaks after disasters are associated primarily with population displacement. T...

poverty and natural disasters

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The Political Economy of “Natural” Disasters

Natural disasters occur in a political space. Although events beyond our control may trigger a disaster, the level of government preparedness and response greatly determines the extent of suffering incurred by the affected population. We use a political economy model of disaster prevention, supported by case studies, that explains why some governments prepare well for disasters and others do no...

Cancer care during natural disasters.

W hen natural disasters occur, everyone is focused on survival. But for cancer patients, this challenge is all the more arduous — because hospitals and other health care infrastructures may be destroyed, wiping out their medical records, and both physicians and patients may be forced to flee. “Cancer patients are especially susceptible to the disruptions that natural disasters can cause,” said ...