Health Impacts of Floods

作者：Weiwei Du, Gerard FitzGerald, Michele N. Clark, Xiang‐Yu Hou · 发表于：Prehospital and Disaster Medicine · 年份：2010 · DOI：10.1017/s1049023x00008141 · 被引用次数：345 · 研究领域：Flood Risk Assessment and Management、Disaster Management and Resilience、Disaster Response and Management

INTRODUCTION: Floods are the most common hazard to cause disasters and have led to extensive morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The impact of floods on the human community is related directly to the location and topography of the area, as well as human demographics and characteristics of the built environment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to identify the health impacts of disasters and the underlying causes of health impacts associated with floods. A conceptual framework is developed that may assist with the development of a rational and comprehensive approach to prevention, mitigation, and management. METHODS: This study involved an extensive literature review that located >500 references, which were analyzed to identify common themes, findings, and expert views. The findings then were distilled into common themes. RESULTS: The health impacts of floods are wide ranging, and depend on a number of factors. However, the health impacts of a particular flood are specific to the particular context. The immediate health impacts of floods include drowning, injuries, hypothermia, and animal bites. Health risks also are associated with the evacuation of patients, loss of health workers, and loss of health infrastructure including essential drugs and supplies. In the medium-term, infected wounds, complications of injury, poisoning, poor mental health, communicable diseases, and starvation are indirect effects of flooding. In the long-term, chronic disease, disability...