News – Page 5 – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

June 24, 2024June 24, 2024

Research Finds Benefits of Social Media in Disaster Preparedness

While the negative consequences of social media use have been well documented, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discovered a surprising benefit in its ability to inform the public about climate change risks and disaster preparation. The research demonstrates how those more socially connected to regions impacted by natural disasters are more likely to be prepared for climate tragedies in the future.

June 20, 2024June 20, 2024

Advocates Urge FEMA to Classify Heat Waves as “Major Disasters”

As the northeastern U.S. faces an early summer heatwave, labor, health, and climate advocacy groups have filed a petition urging the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recognize extreme heat events as major disasters deserving of funding from the agency.

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024

Farmers at Risk for Bird Flu in the United States

In recent weeks, public health officials have expressed concern about the rise of avian flu in the United States, stating that at least three farm workers have been infected since March. The three individuals had direct exposure to dairy cows. Health experts have indicated that farm workers are at the highest risk, adding that this is a low hazard for the general public.

April 23, 2024April 29, 2024

Researchers Call for Humanitarian Aid Amid Public Health Concerns in Venezuela

Women in masks — *Photo courtesy of Rafael Urdaneta Rojas.*

Researchers are evaluating the widespread public health concerns in Venezuela following an analysis of current conditions. The Venezuelan economic crisis and the erosion of healthcare-related infrastructure has caused a series of public health consequences.

April 10, 2024April 17, 2024

7.4-Magnitude Earthquake in Taiwan

World Map earthquake in taiwan with Earthquake Signal Waves

On April 3, 2024, Taiwan was hit with the strongest earthquake it has experienced in the past 25 years. It toppled buildings, especially in the city of Hualien, and led to many aftershocks, landslides, nine deaths, and over 1,000 injured.

April 8, 2024April 29, 2024

Increase in Landmine Usage in Myanmar Amidst Civil War

UNICEF recently published a report with alarming findings, stating that there has been a dramatic increase in civilian casualties caused by the use of landmines. UNICEF has stated that this is partially due to escalating conflicts in Myanmar.

March 28, 2024April 17, 2024

Zoonotic Disease and Climate Change: A Tangled Web

Mosquito resting on a person's skin — Photo courtesy of CDC/James Gathany

Last week, the Health Secretary of Puerto Rico joined several other Latin American countries in declaring a public health emergency due to an unanticipated rise in cases of dengue fever. Despite dengue fever –– a vector-borne infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes — being endemic to Puerto Rico, changes in weather and climate due to global warming have resulted in an estimated triple-fold increase in incidence when compared to cases during the same time period last year.

March 12, 2024April 10, 2024

Individuals Urged to Stay Home as Blizzard Hit Nevada and California Regions

On March 2nd, a blizzard with wind gusts up to 190 miles per hour hit the Sierra Nevada region, causing heavy snowfall around Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain. Blizzard warnings were issued throughout the area and led to major roads to be shut down and stay-at-home orders to be placed.

March 7, 2024March 27, 2024

EPA Implements New Regulations to Combat Effects of Climate Change

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented new policies aimed at limiting damages caused by disasters originating from chemical facilities. The new EPA rules directly address potential threats to society while mitigating the effects of such disasters. The new policies will be implemented in over 12,000 chemical plants and other industrial sites nationwide.