NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters
A student-led journal driven by the latest research in public health disaster preparedness and management.
On June 24, 2021, a part of the Champlain Towers South condo apartments in
Surfside, Florida collapsed. This disaster resulted in nearly 100 fatalities and destroyed a dozen homes. A total of 98 people died.
On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion occurred at the Port of Beirut in Lebanon, when
approximately 2,750 metric tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate detonated following a fire in a nearby warehouse. The blast resulted in over 200 confirmed deaths, caused more than 6,500 injuries, and displaced approximately 300,000 residents.
Rubin writes on how significant increases in the prevalence of natural disasters across the global could be a result of climate change. The author notes how the severity of said disasters had also increased alongside their frequency. In light of these events, Rubin calls for others to build a strong sense of community.
Continue reading “Cara Rubin’s Brief on Trends in Disasters and Disaster Fatalities”
Martin discusses the latest trends in disasters and disaster fatalities. The author asserts that trends in global disaster increases are attributed to human activities. Global climate change, global patterns in migration, and advances in technology are among the causes of both natural and man-made disasters. To mitigate fatalities from disasters, efficient preparedness and response efforts are key.
Continue reading “Skylar Martin’s Brief on Trends in Disasters and Disaster Fatalities”
A devastating flash flood hit Central Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 135 people, including nearly 40 children. The majority of the destruction is in Kerr County, located within the Texas Hill Country — an area home to multiple summer camps. Many of the dead include young campers and staff members from Camp Mystic. In response to the flooding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have activated disaster response and recovery resources, but many feel that the state did not do enough to prepare for a disaster of this magnitude.Â
Continue reading “Devastating Texas Floods Highlight Emergency Response Failures”Introduction: Violence against healthcare facilities is on the rise because they are emotionally charged environments, with open access to the public, and a perceived lack of security. Because of their open layouts, family-centered design (such as play areas and group therapy rooms), and the presence of young, vulnerable people, pediatric care facilities may be seen as “soft targets.” Staff members must protect patients, cooperate with emergency responders, secure locations quickly, and communicate properly with children and families in such a situation.
Continue reading “Kimari A. McCoy, Desere Thompson, and DJ Windsor’s Disaster Plan: Active Shooter Preparation at the Dallas Pediatric Cardiac Care Center”
Introduction: This disaster preparedness and response plan addresses the unique risks posed by volcanic hazards to the Kona Community Hospital Behavioral Health Unit (BHU), located in Kealakekua, Hawai‘i. The facility is situated on the western slopes of Hawai‘i Island, approximately 20 miles west of Mauna Loa’s summit and 40 miles northwest of Kīlauea’s caldera. While the hospital is not located in the highest hazard zone, it is situated within Lava Hazard Zone 3, an area historically vulnerable to fast-moving lava flows from Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone.
Continue reading “Pierre Amiel, Chloe Wong, and Yuxin Yang’s Disaster Plan: Volcanic Hazards by Kona Community Hospital”
During the last days of June, much of the East Coast experienced an extreme heatwave, bringing some of the highest temperatures felt in a decade. Over 150 million people were under heat warnings, including those in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, where temperatures reached over 100 degrees. The oppressive high temperatures can cause a dangerous heat dome, which occurs when a large area of high pressure builds over a region for several days. This heatwave is expected to be one of many facing much of the U.S. this summer, according to the Climate Prediction Center.
Continue reading “June East Coast Heat Wave Forewarns of Extreme Summer Temperatures”
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the coast of Texas, causing massive floods and damaging thousands of buildings. The Category 4 hurricane was listed as the second most costly natural disaster in the history of the United States, falling just short of Hurricane Katrina.
Continue reading “Johnny Quinones’ Case Study on Hurricane Harvey”
In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, leaving 3.7 million individuals without electricity. The Category 4 storm resulted in losses of over $90 billion, the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, and limited communication for lengthy periods of time.
Continue reading “Kimari McCoy’s Case Study on Hurricane Maria”