Epidemiologic research and disasters.

Disasters present a unique challenge for the epidemiologic research community. Disasters are almost always unexpected and their aftermath is typically characterized by a strain on existing infrastructure and resources. These are not the conditions under which the epidemiologic research community typically thrives. However, disasters by definition affect large numbers of people and a growing body of evidence suggests that the consequences of disasters can include multiple health conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, mental health problems), can be far-reaching, and long-lasting (1–3). Although public health departments and federal organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide the first-line of evaluation and intervention after such events, these agencies are typically overwhelmed by the immediate needs after a mass disaster leaving much that needs to be done. The epidemiologic research community then has a unique role it can play after disasters, augmenting the work of public health practitioners. To do so, epidemiologists must identify the most acute areas where they can be of assistance, build on existing resources, and design and implement studies much more quickly than is typical for epidemiologic work. In this commentary we present examples from our own experience designing studies in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and offer suggestions about the role academic epidemiologists can fruitfully play after disasters.