Disasters

Disasters — whether natural, biological, economic, technological or terrorist-related — can have a range of direct and indirect health impacts on individuals and communities. Direct health impacts can range from injuries, illness, risk of toxic exposure, to death. Indirect health impacts may include the break-down of health infrastructure, unhealthy living conditions or inadequate shelter due to displacement, and food insecurity. The urban poor and those in low-income countries are more susceptible to the health risks from disasters. Planning strategies can prevent or mitigate disasters, and help to ensure effective disaster responses are in place in the case of an emergency. This brief summarizes the latest in research on the intersections between disasters, health and place.

Health and Places Initiative (HAPI) Research Brief

Disasters, Health, and Place [PDF]

External Resources