Spring 2024 – Page 4 – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

March 1, 2024March 29, 2024

Ruijun Lei’s Case Study on the 2020 Cyber Attack on University Hospital Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf (UKD), Germany - Juin 9. 2022: Central emergency department of university hospital with red rescue ambulance trucks. — University Hospital Düsseldorf, Central Emergency Department

In this case study, Lei analyzes the cyberattack on University Hospital Düsseldorf in September 2020. The cyber attack led to a hospital-wide system failure and a loss of health data, which delayed emergency care and disrupted the delivery of critical care for some patients. Lei calls attention to the lack of studies completed on this event, which prevents a comprehensive understanding of the attack’s epidemiological impact and its long-term effects on the local health system.

February 29, 2024March 16, 2024

Justin Andries’ Case Study on the 2022 Brooklyn Subway Shooting

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in 2022, an estimated 3 million civilians used the New York City subway system on a daily basis. In April 2022, a 63-year-old male opened fire at the New Utrecht stop in Brooklyn, shooting 10 individuals and creating chaos, fear and confusion among countless commuters. Fortunately, there were no deaths, and the suspect was apprehended and charged with a firearms offense and 10 counts of terrorist attack.

February 28, 2024March 7, 2024

Alexandra Bova’s Case Study on Hurricane Sandy

Aerial image of damage done by Hurricane Sandy in New York. — Damage done by Hurricane Sandy in New York.

Bova’s case study provides an overview of the damage caused by the 2012 Hurricane Sandy in the United States. Bova analyzes the management of the disaster by FEMA and the Red Cross, and comments on the successes and failures of its communication.

February 26, 2024March 2, 2024

Neha Yunus’ Case Study on the 1984 Bhopal Disaster

Photo of a factory — *Photo courtesy of Denny Franzkowiak.*

On December 3rd, 1984, arguably the worst industrial disaster occurred in Bhopal, India. The toxic gas leak injured 554,895 people, leaving approximately 102,000 permanently disabled. More than 40 tons of poisonous methyl isocyanate gas was released from a nearby pesticide production power plant, resulting in an estimated 3,800 fatalities.

February 23, 2024March 27, 2024

Nicole Brandao’s Case Study on the Impact of Climate Change in Guatemala

Mountains and hills on the road to Quiche in Guatemala - mountains with few trees - environmental deforestation. — Deforested mountains on the road to Quiche, Guatemala,

In this case study, Nicole Brandao inspects the demographical and epidemiological consequences of climate change in Guatemala. Brandao presents the association between the devastating effects of natural disasters in Latin America and trends in immigration to the United States, making a case for the importance of political leadership in promoting collective, societal efforts toward addressing health threats posed by natural disasters exacerbated by the changing climate.

February 22, 2024March 2, 2024

Jessica Rodriguez’s Case Study on the 2023 Michigan State University Shooting

Caution tape — *Photo courtesy of Sima Ghaffarzadeh.*

On February 13, 2023, 43-year old Anthony McRae killed three and critically injured five Michigan State University (MSU) students. In this case study, Jessica presents the epidemiological facts and the management of the MSU school shooting.

February 21, 2024March 2, 2024

Sukaina Aziz’s Case Study on the Yemen Humanitarian Crisis and Cholera Outbreak

A neighborhood completely destroyed by war in the city of Taiz, Yemen.

The decades-long cholera outbreak in Yemen has been worsened by the war that broke out within the country in 2014. Over half of the country’s healthcare facilities have been rendered non-functional, and 17.3 million are facing food insecurity. Population displacement from the war poses an additional challenge to efforts by international organizations in reducing the spread of the disease. Aziz’s case study analyzes the management of this crisis.

February 19, 2024February 22, 2024

Jamie Epstein’s Case Study on Marine Heat Waves in the Pacific Northwest

In July 2021, the Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST) recorded abnormally high temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean. This marine heat wave led to massive marine animal deaths and the loss of approximately $8.19 million in coastal fisheries in Japan.

February 15, 2024March 3, 2024

Chloé Ambrose’s Case Study on Candida auras

3D illustration of the Candida auris fungi. — 3D illustration of the *Candida auris* fungi.

Ambrose’s case study on the C. auris outbreak in New York State reveals the lasting impact of the outbreak on the state’s approaches to public health concerns.

February 14, 2024March 3, 2024

Sarah Crisci’s Case Study on Candida auras in New York

Laboratory — *Photo courtesy of Darko Stojanovic*.

Candida auras (C. auris) is a drug-resistant fungus with a dangerously high mortality rate. Most C. auris cases are resistant to one antifungal drug at minimum. However, chronic cases include strains which are resistant to all three antifungal drugs used to treat the fungus. Cases of C. auris typically arise in healthcare facilities, due to prolonged isolation periods following exposure.