Mollie Mahany, MPHSenior Public Health Advisor

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1

Definition of a natural disaster

A disaster that is caused by

naturally-occurring hazards

2

Classes of natural disasters Hydro- meteorological

FloodsStorm surgesWindstormsWildfiresHeat wavesDust stormsSnowstorms

GeologicalEarthquakesTsunamisVolcanic LandslidesAvalanches

3

Biological• Epidemics• Pandemics

4

NATURAL

Geological Hydro-meteorological

Seismic Volcanic

High precipitation

Low precipitation

Earth-quake

Tsunami Volcanic eruption

Land-slide

Tropical Cyclone

Flood Drought Wildfire

Keim 2010

5

6

7

The incidence of natural disasters is increasing worldwide (1900-2005)

8

Top 4 causes of death due to disasters in the Pacific

9

TsunamisCyclonesFloodsLandslides

Most disaster deaths occur BEFORE emergency response

HazardHazard Cause of deathCause of death

Tsunami Severe trauma and drowning

Cyclones Drowning

Floods Drowning

Landslides Severe trauma

10

Vulnerability to natural disasters

95% of natural disaster deaths occur among 66% of the poorest countries

11

Public health consequences of natural disasters

DeathInjuriesLoss of clean waterLoss of shelterLoss of personal

household goodsMajor population

movementsLoss of sanitationLoss of routine hygieneDisruption of solid

waste management

Public concern for safetyIncreased pests & vectorsDamage to health care

systemWorsening of chronic

illnessesLoss of electricityToxic/ hazardous exposureLoss of food supply

12

Consequence Earthquake TsunamiVolcanic eruption

LandslideTropical Cyclone

Flood Drought Wildfire

Deaths Many ManyFew to

moderateFew to

moderate

Few, but many in

poor nations

Few, but many in

poor nations

Few, but many in

poor nationsFew

Severe injuries Many ManyFew to

moderateFew to

moderateFew Few Unlikely Few

Loss of clean water

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

 Focal

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Widespread Focal

Loss of shelterFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal

Loss of personal / household

goods

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal

Major population movements

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal

Loss of routine hygiene

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadWidespread Focal

Loss of sanitation

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal

 Focal

Disruption of solid waste

mgt

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal Focal

Public concern for safety

High High HighModerate to

HighHigh

Moderate to High

Low to moderate

Moderate to High

Increased pests

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Unlikely UnlikelyFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadUnlikely

Loss or damage of health care

system

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal

Focal to widespread

Worsening of chronic illnesses

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadWidespread

Focal to widespread

Loss of electrical

power

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

Focal to widespread

FocalFocal to

widespreadFocal to

widespreadFocal Unlikely

Toxic exposures

Few to moderate for CO poisoning

Few to moderate for CO poisoning

Widespread for air, soil and surface

water

Focal

Few to moderate

for CO poisoning

Few to moderate

for CO poisoning

FocalWidespread

for air

Food scarcity Focal Focal Focal Focal

Common in low-lying coastal areas

Focal to widespread

Widespread in poor nations

Focal

13

So, how do we reduce health risk?Reduce exposures

Identify the hazardMonitor the

hazardProvide early

warning Evacuate people

at risk

Reduce vulnerabilityPromote health and

educationStrengthen public

health and healthcareProtect key resources

Livelihoods, shelter, food, water, sanitation14

15