NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters
A student-led journal driven by the latest research in public health disaster preparedness and management.
In January 2018, Montecito, California, experienced mudslides that killed 23 people, injured more than 160, and destroyed over 100 residences. The event led to concerns about the effectiveness of the county’s evacuation strategies and their communication of risk with the public.
Continue reading “Kimberly Tang’s Case Study on the Southern California Mudslides”
On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared from the radar en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. The plane was carrying 227 passengers. While scant wreckage was found, the incident remains a mystery in aviation history.
Continue reading “Yuhan Shi’s Case Study on the Malaysia Airlines Missing Flight”
In 2016, the multidrug-resistant fungal strain of Candida auris reappeared in the U.S., being traced back to a case in 2013. As of January 2025, nearly 3,000 cases have been reported in New York. A particular surge of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic led to many improvements in case screening and management by the New York Department of Health.
Continue reading “Natalia Ramon’s Case Study on the New York C. Auris Outbreak”
A recent study published in the Journal of Emergency Management and Disaster Communication studied the impact of access to information regarding emergency behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examined disease knowledge, dynamic news, government measures, and media in the context of how guidelines and information were communicated to the general public. The researchers analyzed preventative behaviors and their correlation with perceived risk among the general public, highlighting the profound effects media, misinformation, and public perception have on adhering to guidelines. The study notes that past research excluded the effects of information access during large-scale health crises, instead focusing on common infectious diseases.
Continue reading “Study Highlights Access to Information and the Impact on Behaviors During COVID-19”
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.
Continue reading “How Access to Online Information Reshaped COVID-19 Preparedness”
The last century has brought a handful of global pandemics, including the Spanish Influenza, HIV/AIDS, and most recently, COVID-19. These events have deeply impacted the world’s welfare and infrastructure, highlighting the need for efficient pandemic preparedness and response measures.
Continue reading “Ritu Bhatt’s Brief on Pandemic Preparedness and Response”
On August 30, Japan was struck by Typhoon Shanshan, prompting emergency warnings across the nation. Japanese authorities reported that over one million individuals were advised to evacuate due to extensive damage caused by the typhoon. Japan was hit with record-breaking rainfall and flooding, which particularly damaged structures along the southern coastline.
Continue reading “Typhoon Shanshan Hits Japan, Millions Forced to Evacuate”In June 2018, Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted, leading to the evacuation of 31,000 people, at least 99 deaths, and 15 injuries. The Guatemalan government had a delayed response to the event, which revealed weaknesses in its disaster preparedness. This, along with the public’s lack of knowledge of the dangers and risks of volcanic eruptions, caused one of the most fatal eruptions in Guatemalan history.
Continue reading “Kristin Memoli’s Case Study on Volcán de Fuego Eruption in Guatemala”
In this study, a team of researchers are assessing whether booklets should be more widely considered in informing the public on disaster preparedness and response, especially their appropriateness in addressing the mental health toll of the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake. The team gathered data on the use of booklets, and found that they have been used in disaster response in several countries, including Ukraine, Malaysia, the United States, and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Continue reading “An Analysis of Information Booklets’ Effectiveness in Post-Disaster Situations”
An anthrax outbreak in Kyotera District, Uganda, resulted in 17 fatalities this past November. The outbreak, initially referred to as a “strange disease” by residents, was confirmed by Dr. Edward Muwanga, the Kyotera District Health Officer. The deadly bacteria, Bacillus anthracis, is believed to have infected humans through contact with contaminated animal products or infected animals.
Continue reading “Anthrax Outbreak Claims 17 Lives in Kyotera, Uganda”