Sarah Ortega – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

October 29, 2024October 29, 2024

Hurricane Helene and Milton’s Destructive Paths

2024 has proven to be a historic hurricane season, with Hurricane Milton being the fifth strongest hurricane in the Atlantic and producing a record-breaking 126 tornado warnings for the state of Florida. Subsequently, Hurricane Helene made news around the world as the deadliest and costliest hurricane to hit the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Helene caused historic damage to parts of the southeastern U.S., especially western North Carolina, as news of the catastrophic flooding continues to spread around the globe. Experts and observers are wondering how Helene was able to cause such a high level of flooding so far from where it made landfall in Florida.

September 27, 2024September 27, 2024

560,000 Children Vaccinated Against Polio in Gaza

When Gaza reported its first case of polio in a quarter century in late August, there was a swift effort taken by health officials to provide polio vaccines to the region and prevent further spread. The effort was led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a group of national governments and partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the vaccine alliance. So far, the effort has been successful, with nearly 560,000 children vaccinated.

September 21, 2024

Research Finds Stormwater System Ineffective, Even Deadly

An extreme flooding event in Detroit in 2014 exposed the outdated stormwater infrastructure in much of the United States. Since the event, various studies have shown that instead of mitigating flooding and its costly consequences, the antiquated sewer systems are actually worsening flooding events.

September 21, 2024September 21, 2024

Jamaica’s ‘Smart Health Centers’ Withstand Category 4 Beryl

The UK-led initiative, “Smart’ Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project,” aiming to improve critical healthcare facilities’ infrastructure and environmental impact in the Caribbean, has proven to be a resounding success in Jamaica as Category 4 Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage to the island.

September 7, 2024September 7, 2024

New Study Reveals HIV Preventative Drug With 99% Efficacy

A life-saving HIV preventative drug with nearly 100% efficacy passed its latest round of trials, providing hope to millions worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which has one of the highest HIV rates in the world. Although advocates celebrate the arrival of this new drug, many are skeptical that the twice-a-year injection will be made affordable to people in the low-income countries that need it most.

August 19, 2024August 19, 2024

Southwest India Landslide Kills Hundreds After Years of Ignored Warnings

Landslide that hit Nepal’s Sunkoshi river.

After over a decade of ignored warnings, a catastrophic landslide swept away much of the village of Mundakkai, India, in late July. Around 200 people were killed, with many more missing. As residents begin the recovery process, government officials seek to identify a cause for the extent of the disaster, with much evidence pointing to one culprit: overdevelopment.

August 16, 2024

Crisis Unfolding: War-Torn Sudan’s Healthcare Facilities Under Attack

European Humanitarian Aid supporting Sudan refugees.

A civil war in Sudan is diminishing the healthcare services, as attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities by militant groups have led to a near-total collapse of the system. The escalating violence is expected to lead to a historic humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which is already facing dire food insecurity.

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024

‘Heat Poverty’ Increasing in India Amidst Record-Breaking Temperatures

Heatwave frequency and intensity are increasing in India, with the current 2024 heatwave bringing temperatures of 126F (52C). Extreme heat has pushed many into “heat poverty,” a now-common term in India that describes the significant costs of making life safe and bearable during high temperatures. Impoverished citizens have been forced to purchase life-saving air conditioning units with sizable loans, which they are unsure of when or how they can pay back. With the effects of climate change increasing the heat annually, heat poverty is expected to get worse.

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024

World Far From Reaching “Zero Hunger” by 2030, According to UN Report

A hungry child being carried by their parent.

The 2024 United Nations (UN) State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report found that one in 11 people around the world, and one in five people in Africa, face hunger. The report warns that these numbers are not showing any signs of improvement. Currently, none of the nutrition improvement goals outlined by the World Health Organization for 2030 are on trend to be met.

August 2, 2024September 27, 2024

WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

Updated August 29, 2024: The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally declared a global health emergency of international concern for the mpox (formerly monkeypox) outbreak concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been recorded in the DRC in 2024 so far, with the outbreak rapidly spreading to surrounding countries such as Kenya and Uganda. Vulnerable populations, and those the most at risk, include women, children, and the immunocompromised.