News – Page 3 – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance

In September 2024, 193 delegations gathered during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the effects of treatments, such as antibiotics. This makes common infections more difficult to treat, potentially reversing decades of medical advancements. The UN emphasized that without immediate action, AMR could cause millions of additional deaths each year, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. The high-level meeting on AMR called for coordinated global efforts to reduce the projected 10 million annual deaths by 2050 due to drug-resistant infections.

November 7, 2024

Student Spotlight: Marsha Williams

Marsha Williams is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. She conducted her Advanced Applied Practice Experience (AAPE) at Americares, focusing on anticipatory action in humanitarian response to climate change. We spoke with Marsha to learn about her interests in public health, the Americares project and more. Read our Q&A with Marsha below!

Interviewed by Sara Merken.

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024

Vienna’s Advanced Flood Preparedness Saved Many Lives During Storm Boris

A historic storm in Central Europe brought devastating floods to many countries, including Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Romania. Twenty-seven were killed, and several more sustained injuries and mental health impacts. Vienna, Austria, however, experienced only mild impacts thanks to its extensive floodwater control system, one that can serve as a model for other cities around the world.

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.