NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters
A student-led journal driven by the latest research in public health disaster preparedness and management.
As a physician and now as a public health student, Hameed speaks to experiences working in the field and how they apply to disease cases such as COVID-19 and the 2009 H1N1 pandemics. The author makes clear that the public’s immediate reaction and reception to public health initiatives plays a major role in long-term outcomes regardless of the scientific advancements.
Martin discusses the latest trends in disasters and disaster fatalities. The author asserts that trends in global disaster increases are attributed to human activities. Global climate change, global patterns in migration, and advances in technology are among the causes of both natural and man-made disasters. To mitigate fatalities from disasters, efficient preparedness and response efforts are key.Â
Ferrer compares three pandemics in history: the 1918 Spanish Flu, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The author notes the difference among them in terms of the scale of impact and the societal context/political climate. The cause of these differences is community adherence. Moreover, the social climate plays a key role in fostering public trust in the officials, resulting in varying degrees of community adherence among people.
Faheem contextualizes the various meanings for the term “disaster” across different industries and government sectors. The author comments on what factors play into these definitions and makes the case for new metrics when determining the impact of a disaster.
Bola speaks to the misuse of the term “disaster” within the context of public health. The author argues that several factors, including degree of response and the timeliness in which its needed, play into whether an event could be described as a “disaster” rather than a “crisis” or other affiliated terms.
Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungal pathogen first reported in the United States in 2016, resulted in over 33,000 confirmed cases over an eight-year period and a reported mortality rate of 30 to 50%, thus presenting the horrors of drug-resistant bacteria and inevitably facilitating major changes within the standard of hospital care and infection control across major U.S. cities.
Continue reading “Natali Petrosyan’s Case Study on C. auris Outbreak in the United States”
On July 4, 2025, exceptional rainfall caused the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country to rise dramatically. Waters rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, cresting at a record 37 feet and resulting in one of the deadliest and fastest-moving flash floods in the history of the United States.
Continue reading “Olivia Henriques’ Case Study on the 2025 Central Texas Flash Floods”Introduction: As a hospital with high patient volume and staffing, Bellevue is particularly susceptible to higher transmission rates. Bellevue stands as one of the largest hospitals in the United States, with over 800 inpatient beds. Emergency room visits are, therefore, higher than in most other hospitals. Transmission potential is also amplified by the fact that New York City is the most populated city in the United States, often contributing to overcrowding in both public spaces and living environments. Its role as a transit hub and port of entry increases its risk of imported cases, and Bellevue’s location in Kips Bay, New York City, puts the hospital at a uniquely vulnerable position for receiving patients who may have been exposed. This combination makes Bellevue a critical frontline institution in the face of an infectious disease outbreak, and thus necessitates an actionable plan around a potential EVD outbreak.
Continue reading “Mariana Braga, Sierra Nasir, and Johnny Quinones’ Disaster Plan: Bellevue Emergency Response Plan for Ebola Outbreak in the Emergency Room”In March 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi and areas across the South Indian Ocean. Over 676 people died and over 659,000 people were displaced, ultimately worsening an ongoing cholera outbreak in the area.
Mfutso establishes the epidemiological context in Malawi leading up to Cyclone Freddy, emphasizing how the lack of early warning systems and lackluster data collection resulted in increased mortality rates across the area.
Introduction: CDC reports of the H5N1 cases over the years have been largely isolated in 5 states: California, Washington, Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming. In counties across California, cases of avian influenza have been reported, requiring a specialized response plan. The network of Cali Hope Urgent Care Clinic was chosen because of its patient reach and proximity to the epicenter. As an urgent care clinic, it is the best fit to detect and treat cases of avian influenza in humans as and when they arise and help the population in need.
Continue reading “Berkeley Sanchez, Shivani Shenoy, and Benjamin Tamarin’s Disaster Plan: Avian Influenza Outbreak Plan for Cali Hope Urgent Care Clinic”