Personal Preparedness – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

July 15, 2024July 15, 2024

Dengue Fever Cases Spike in the Americas

Earlier this year, federal health officials expressed concern about an increase in the number of individuals contracting dengue in 2024. Through just the first half of 2024, countries in the Americas reported more than twice the number of cases compared to the entirety of 2023. So far, over 10 million cases have been reported this year, with significant outbreaks in Brazil and Argentina. While the United States has experienced minimal cases, Puerto Rico recently declared a public health emergency following a reported 1,500 cases through March 2024.

May 8, 2024May 8, 2024

Grace Ann Nader, Aziz Maher, Justin Andries’ Disaster Response Plan for Mental Health Services Post-Hurricane

Introduction: The South Louisiana region, with a rich cultural heritage and diverse population, faces significant challenges due to its location along the Gulf Coast, where hurricanes frequently make landfall. Specifically, Orleans Parish has recently experienced devastating impacts of hurricanes, which have resulted in adverse mental health outcomes for its inhabitants. This annex to the Louisiana Department of Health sets forth guidelines and recommendations for managing the response to mental health needs of individuals and communities in Orleans Parish post-hurricane.

May 6, 2024May 8, 2024

Wanda Dikiy, Susan Nagel, and Kyung-Hwa Ashcraft’s Disaster Plan for Havana Syndrome

Introduction: U.S. Embassy personnel, U.S. government officials, other members of U.S. Foreign Service, and their families who are stationed to serve abroad are vulnerable to risks from hazards related to the particular geographical location and unique environments of the host country. This comprehensive Disaster Plan is designed to be an iterative process with regular reviews and adjustments, taking into account the complexities of emerging and past threats, the evaluation of their respective responses, and new available technologies.

May 2, 2024May 8, 2024

Amanda Cone, Lennika King, Ray Liu, and Jessica Rodriguez’s Emergency Operations Plan for Services d’Aide Médicale Urgente (SAMU) for Mass Shooting

Introduction: This Emergency Operations Plan was created to provide guidance on responding to mass shootings in Paris, France. Although mass shootings are not nearly as common in France as they are in the United States, they are not infrequent either. More recently, mass shootings in France –– particularly those occurring in Paris –– have been tied to terrorism. In the event of an active shooter incident or any other connected emergency or disaster that could affect the country or any of its residents, Services d’Aide Médicale Urgente (SAMU) is required to respond and take action. In some cases, this response requires joint efforts between fire and rescue services as well.

February 8, 2024February 21, 2024

Mental Health Services Lacking in a Flooded Vale do Taquari, Brazil

Taquari river from Morro do Gaucho mountain in Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The flood-prone region of Vale do Taquari, Brazil experienced an exceptional El Nino event towards the end of 2023, leading to 52 deaths and impacting the lives of the 400,000 people of the region. Given Vale do Taquari’s already heightened suicide rate, it is crucial to address the mental health effects of this and other climate-related disasters.

December 18, 2023December 31, 2023

Nehal Rowhani, Jhadia Edwards, and Ilse Nicole Heredia’s Severe Winter Storm Disaster Management Plan

Introduction: “Buffalo, New York (NY) is located in the western region of NY State, roughly six hours by car (292 miles) from Manhattan. In the event of a Buffalo Blizzard, this Disaster Plan will establish the roles and responsibilities each respected party must take in Erie County. It is understood that each winter storm is different and will present a unique set of challenges.”

October 19, 2023October 21, 2023

Nehal Rowhani’s Case Study on the 2022 Buffalo Blizzard

In this case study, Rowhani analyzes the deadly blizzard in Buffalo, New York in December 2022. The blizzard lasted for 37 hours, causing power outages for over 20,000 homes and facilities across the region. Fatality demographics shows that the disaster disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities.

October 17, 2023February 2, 2024

Ilse Nicole Heredia’s Case Study on the 2019 Polar Vortex

Ilse Nicole Heredia’s case study provides an overview of the 2019 U.S. polar vortex. Extreme cold temperatures led to infrastructural and supply chain damages, causing many deaths and injuries in cities across the Midwest. During the disaster, one significant gap in preparedness was a lack of shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. To address this inadequacy, cities adapted hotels, churches, schools, and government buildings into temporary shelters.

September 2, 2023September 2, 2023

Increasing Cases of Flesh-Eating Bacteria in the United States

This summer, cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare and life-threatening bacterium, have been on the rise across different regions along the east coast in the United States. This bacterium is known to cause sepsis, a serious infection in the bloodstream that can potentially cause irreparable organ damage or death in extreme cases. Necrosis fasciitis, otherwise known as flesh-eating bacteria, is often an additional symptom of the infection.

June 8, 2023February 1, 2024

Wildfire Smoke in NYC: How to Stay Alert and Protect Yourself

Wildfire smoke in NYC, seen from New Jersey. Photo by Selina Ma.

More than 100 wildfires have been raging across the Canadian border over the past six weeks. Wind currents carried smoke and haze from the fire southwards across a number of U.S. states, reaching New York City earlier this week. The city recorded at its highest 484 out of 500 on E.P.A’s air quality index, a level categorized as “Hazardous” to individual health.