Skip to main content
Log in

Disaster epidemiology and disease monitoring

  • Disease Monitoring and Disaster Response
  • Published:
Journal of Medical Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Better epidemiologic knowledge of the mechanisms of death and of the types of injuries and illnesses caused by disasters is clearly essential to determining the appropriate, relief medications, supplies, equipment, and personnel needed to effectively respond to such emergencies. The overall objective of disaster epidemiology is to measure scientifically and describe the health effects of disasters and the factors contributing to these effects. The results of such investigations allow disaster epidemiologists to assess the needs of disaster-affected populations, efficiently match resources to needs, prevent further adverse health effects, evaluate relief effectiveness, and plan for future disasters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. National Research Council:Confronting Natural Disasters: An International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, Washington, D. C., 1987, National Academy Press, pp. 1–67.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance:Disaster history: significant data on major disasters worldwide, 1900-persent, Washington, D.C., 1994, Agency for International Development, pp. 1–145.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hagman, G.,Prevention Better Than Cure, Stockholm, 1984, Swedish Red Cross.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Wijkman, A., and Timberlake, L.,Natural Disasters: Acts of God or Acts of Man, Earthscan Paperback, New York, 1984, pp. 1–178.

  5. Noji, E.K.: Analysis of medical needs in disasters caused by tropical cyclones: the need for a uniform injury reporting scheme.J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 96:370–376, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Binder, S., and Sanderson, L.M., The role of the epidemiologist, in natural disasters.Ann. Emerg. Med. 16:1081–1084, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Guha-Sapir, D., and Lechat, M.F., Information systems and needs assessment in natural disasters: an approach for better disaster relief management.Disasters 10:232–237, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  8. World Health Organization,Rapid health assessment protocols, Geneva, 1990, Emergency Preparedness and Response Office, World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hlady, W.G., Quenemoen, L.E., Armenia-Cope, R.R., et al., Use of a modified cluster sampling method to perform rapid needs assessment after Hurricane Andrew.Ann. Emerg. Med. 23:719–725, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lillibridge, S.A., Noji, E.K., and Burkle, F.M., Disaster assessment: the emergency health evaluation of a disaster site.Ann. Emerg. Med. 22:1715–1720, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Centers for Disease Control: Rapid health needs assessment following Hurricane Andrew—Florida and Louisiana.MMWR 41:696–698, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Foege, W.H., Public health aspects of disaster management. (J.M. Last, ed.),Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Appleton-Century-Croft, Norwalk, CT, 1986, pp. 1879–1886.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Spencer, H.C., Campbell, C.C., Romero, A., et al., Disease surveillance and decision making after the 1976 Guatemala earthquake.Lancet 2:181–184, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Surmieda, R.S., Abad-Viola, G., Abellanosa, I.P., et al., Surveillance in evacuation camps after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. InPublic Health Surveillance and International Health, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, 1992, pp. 9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lee, L.E., Fonseca, V., Brett, K., et al., Active morbidity surveillance after Hurricane Andrew.JAMA 270:591–594, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Glass, R.I., Nieburg, P., Cates, W., et al., Rapid assessment of health status and preventive-medicine needs of newly arrived Kampuchean refugees, Sa Kaeo, Thailand.Lancet 1:868–872, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Noji, E.K., Progress in disaster management.Lancet 343:1239–1240, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Noji, E.K. Disaster epidemiology and disease monitoring. J Med Syst 19, 171–174 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257068

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257068

Keywords

Navigation