Health impacts of floods: a comprehensive review
Article
Article Title | Health impacts of floods: a comprehensive review |
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ERA Journal ID | 13994 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Du, Weiwei (Author), FitzGerald, Gerard (Author), Clark, Michele (Author) and Hou, Xiang-Yu (Author) |
Journal Title | Prehospital and Disaster Medicine |
Journal Citation | 25 (3), pp. 265-272 |
Number of Pages | 8 |
Year | 2010 |
Place of Publication | New York, United States |
ISSN | 1049-023X |
1945-1938 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X00008141 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/prehospital-and-disaster-medicine/article/health-impacts-of-floods/11829B2183F14BF6E8563C37D73E8651 |
Abstract | Introduction: Floods are the most common hazard to cause disasters and have led to extensive morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The impact of floods on the human community is related directly to the location and topography of the area, as well as human demographics and characteristics of the built environment. Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the health impacts of disasters and the underlying causes of health impacts associated with floods. A conceptual framework is developed that may assist with the development of a rational and comprehensive approach to prevention, mitigation, and management. Methods: This study involved an extensive literature review that located >500 references, which were analyzed to identify common themes, findings, and expert views. The findings then were distilled into common themes. Results: The health impacts of floods are wide ranging, and depend on a number of factors. However, the health impacts of a particular flood are specific to the particular context. The immediate health impacts of floods include drowning, injuries, hypothermia, and animal bites. Health risks also are associated with the evacuation of patients, loss of health workers, and loss of health infrastructure including essential drugs and supplies. In the mediumterm, infected wounds, complications of injury, poisoning, poor mental health, communicable diseases, and starvation are indirect effects of flooding. In the long-term, chronic disease, disability, poor mental health, and poverty-related diseases including malnutrition are the potential legacy. Conclusions: This article proposes a structured approach to the classification of the health impacts of floods and a conceptual framework that demonstrates the relationships between floods and the direct and indirect health consequences. |
Keywords | disaster; disaster planning; disaster medicine; emergency management; floods; health impact; health management; policy framework |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420699. Public health not elsewhere classified |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Queensland University of Technology |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q66v9/health-impacts-of-floods-a-comprehensive-review
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