Natural disaster epidemiology in community health
Disaster epidemiology entails the research, surveillance, data collection, and analysis of effects that threaten the human epidemiology. It helps in giving real-time information that helps in predicting disaster impacts in the future. The main focus of epidemiology investigation usually focusses on events that may lead to mortality and morbidity. It can also help, or we can use the investigation to get to know the ways for moving away from a disaster event once it occurs. Natural disaster epidemiology focuses mainly on the study of natural disasters that can harm the human race. An example of a natural disaster includes influenza pandemics. It is a disaster that entails an outbreak of viruses that can easily spread from one person to another, and if there is no quick intervention, it can lead to death (Madhav, Oppenheim, Gallivan, Mulembakani, Rubin, and Wolfe, 2017). Another natural disaster includes floods, which usually cause injury to humans in case of its occurrence, and in the long run, it may lead to registration of death cases.
Natural disaster epidemiology is essential and valuable to disaster planning and response mechanism. Epidemiology can help in describing and identifying the impact of health events that occur as a disaster as much as disasters that happen are complex. There is a need for responsible authorities to establish communication channels with professionals in disaster management. They are facilitating better data collection methods and analysis of the data from fields. Working hand in hand to make sure that we have a safe and secure environment.
The application of natural disaster epidemiology will help in providing the necessary information. The information will help in reducing natural calamities that may befall a community. In so doing, the data will reduce mortality and morbidity in case of a disaster. Therefore, researchers should focus on long term analyses of data, hence making the knowledgeable in case of any potential upcoming natural emergency.
References
Madhav, N., Oppenheim, B., Gallivan, M., Mulembakani, P., Rubin, E., and Wolfe, N. (2017). Pandemics: risks, impacts, and mitigation. In Disease Control Priorities: Improving Health and Reducing Poverty. 3rd edition. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.