Health Concerns Related to Natural Disasters

The 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan raises a variety of health concerns. Outside of impending nuclear energy concerns, health officials can expect injuries from those not only carried by flood waters, or by people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, but also from those who are trying to rescue people trapped in the rubble. Tens of thousands of people are currently unaccounted for, and will no doubt need medical assistance for injuries. Flooding caused by natural disasters like the earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand, and 2010's earthquake in Haiti, as well as hurricanes like Katrina and others can lead to health issues caused by unclean waters, lack of health supplies and mental health concerns.

Clean Water

For those who are fortunate enough to be physically intact, there becomes an immediate need for food and clean water. Flooding increases the risk for water borne illnesses such as typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A. The biggest risk is contamination of water sources, and infection as polluted waters come in contact with open wounds. While there may be an increase in incidence in these diseases, according to the World Health Organization, they aren't epidemic prone.

Leptosprosis is the only epidemic prone disease transmitted directly from contaminated water, when skin and mucous membranes come in contact with water, mud or vegetation contaminated with rodent urine. Standing water also draws mosquitoes which carry dengue, malaria and West Nile fever. Prevention of water contamination includes distribution of chlorine for home use, and vaccinations for Hepatitis A.

Medical Supplies

As communities are decimated, one of the health risks is the lack of medical supplies in treating minor and major injuries. There is a major spike in health emergencies that many communities are unprepared for. Many organizations' sole purpose is to get medical supplies out to areas that are devastated by natural disasters. AmeriCares delivers medicine, medical supplies and humanitarian aid to people in crisis. The American Red Cross also supplies blood when necessary for emergencies.

Mental Health Concerns

With any natural disaster or emergency, the event takes both a physical toll on the community as well as an emotional toll. To lose friends or family, to experience your own life in danger, or to watch the life you build sink underwater causes the kind of trauma that could require the help of an emotional therapist. A 2007 study revealed that approximately 17 percent of Hurricane Katrina victims suffered from mental illness in the month after the disaster, including post-traumatic stress disorder. According to a Harvard study, the number of people who reported thoughts of suicide in New Orleans after the hurricane rose from 3 to 8 percent.

Photo by Jon Genius