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Diabetes and Disasters: Recent Studies and Resources for Preparedness

  • Lifestyle Management to Reduce Diabetes/Cardiovascular Risk (B Conway and H Keenan, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Studies have shown that disasters may exacerbate the comorbidities in vulnerable populations such as those with a pre-existing chronic medical condition like diabetes. This article highlights recent studies that look at the impact of disasters on people with diabetes and also shows recent resources for consumers, health care providers, and policy makers to improve resiliency in people with diabetes.

Recent Findings

Recent articles have looked at the short-term impact of disasters upon people with diabetes and its comorbidities such as Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the triple disaster of 2011 in Japan (earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident), and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake in Japan as well as the long-term impact of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Summary

Several public and private partners have used the past and recent findings to develop resources that help consumers with diabetes and the people who care for them, prepare for a disaster BEFORE the event.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    Pamela Allweiss

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  1. Pamela Allweiss
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Appendix: Examples of Resources

Appendix: Examples of Resources

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists https://www.empoweryourhealth.org/sites/all/files/Diabetes-Emergency-Web-Download.pdf

American Association of Diabetes Educators

https://www.diabeteseducator.org/docs/default-source/living-with-diabetes/tip-sheets/aade-disaster-planning-toolkit.pdf?sfvrsn=0

https://www.diabeteseducator.org/practice/educator-tools/app-resources/disaster-preparedness

American Diabetes Association

Australian Diabetes Educators Association

Diabetes and Natural Disasters Online Learning Module.

https://static.diabetesaustralia.com.au/s/fileassets/diabetes-australia/e67a31ea-e2e5-4b56-95e5-06f05f224ebc.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/people-with-diabetes/emergency.html

Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition (DDRC) https://www.diabetesdisasterresponse.org/our-vision

Insulin for Life

http://ifl-usa.org/

Johns Hopkins Diabetes Guide: Disaster Emergency Preparedness in Diabetes

https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Diabetes_Guide/547203/all/Disaster_Emergency_Preparedness_in_Diabetes

Katzki L. Disaster Preparedness and Diabetes. Diabetes Self Management. Published July 22, 2016 https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/managing-diabetes/general-health-issues/disaster-preparedness-diabetes/

HealthCare Ready

https://www.healthcareready.org/

HealthCare Ready has a program called Rx open that connects people with open pharmacies and also has resources about preparedness for people with chronic conditions. https://www.healthcareready.org/system/cms/files/1555/files/original/20170331_Chronic_Care_Roundtable_-_Discussion_Slides.pdf

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Allweiss, P. Diabetes and Disasters: Recent Studies and Resources for Preparedness. Curr Diab Rep 19, 131 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-019-1258-7

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