News – 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.

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024

Tropical Cyclones Indirectly Trigger Deaths for Years, Study Says

Tropical cyclones indirectly cause long-term effects on mortality for years beyond the initial event, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. The study, published on October 2, is particularly relevant in the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which hit the Southeastern U.S. in September and October, respectively.

October 24, 2024October 24, 2024

Pandemics Coincide with Climate’s Instability, Research Shows

In the wake of major outbreaks involving diseases such as Dengue, Ebola, and COVID-19, researchers have pointed to the planet’s role in the rise of pandemics. With the threats of climate change more apparent than ever, the relationship has been made abundantly clear.

October 23, 2024October 23, 2024

Hurricane Milton: A Public Health Emergency

On October 8, 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Beccerra, declared a public health emergency in Florida as Hurricane Milton reached the coast. Hurricane Milton is said to be the strongest hurricane since Hurricane Rita in 2005 and the strongest hurricane to reach Tampa in the last 100 years, with winds reaching 180mph. The destruction caused 24 deaths and left millions without power. Thankfully, the declaration of a public health emergency reduced the potential destruction Milton could have left in its path.

So, what is the declaration of a public health emergency, and how does it benefit the public?

October 17, 2024October 27, 2024

Highlighting Inequities in Cancer Care Between Low and High Income Countries

The disparity between high-income countries (HICs) and low-middle-income countries (LMICs) continues to persist, with an increasing emphasis on the impact it has on children with cancer. The American Childhood Cancer Organization states that 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year globally; however, thousands of children in LMICs remain undiagnosed, widening the gap between those who receive treatment and those who do not.

October 16, 2024October 16, 2024

Climate Change Drives Unparalleled Superfloods in Europe

In early September, disastrous floods in Europe killed 24 and affected millions, causing economic damage worth $2 to 3 billion. The unparalleled storm, known as Storm Boris, brought five times the monthly average rainfall onto Central European countries, leading to four missing people and the isolation of several villages. The impacts of climate change exacerbated the intensity of the storm, providing a bleak glimpse of its effects on the planet’s fastest-warming continent.

October 9, 2024October 27, 2024

New WHO Data Shows Surging Global Cholera Deaths

Data recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that more than 4,000 people died from cholera in 2023, representing a 71% increase in reported deaths compared to the prior year. Reported cholera cases rose by 13% during that period, according to the WHO’s global cholera statistics.

October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

Listeria Outbreak in Boar’s Head Products Kills 10

In July 2024, Boar’s Head, a prominent deli meat producer, became the center of a serious Listeria outbreak linked to its liverwurst and other deli products. The contamination was traced back to a facility in Virginia, prompting the recall of millions of pounds of deli meats. Affected products were distributed across 19 states, resulting in at least 34 hospitalizations and 10 deaths. This outbreak is one of the largest food-related Listeria incidents in the U.S. in recent years, with cases particularly concentrated in New York, Illinois, and New Jersey. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) played a pivotal role in identifying Boar’s Head liverwurst as a primary source after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

How Access to Online Information Reshaped COVID-19 Preparedness

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the internet emerged as a primary source of information, allowing people to become aware of the virus and how to prepare effectively. One study found information accessed during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the preparedness of Chinese netizens—active internet users—regarding the virus. According to the study, variable access to information influences how people perceive disastrous events, shaping their views on susceptibility and severity.