NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters
A student-led journal driven by the latest research in public health disaster preparedness and management.
Seven people—Mary Kellerman, Adam Janus, Stanley Janus, Theresa Janus, Mary Reiner,
Mary McFarland, and Paula Prince—ages 12 to 35, from Chicago died between September 29 and October 1, 1982 after swallowing cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules.
During the 1980s, the spread of crack cocaine in the United States led to a large increase in drug-related deaths, hospital visits, and violent crime, and it led to a larger conversation
regarding fear mongering and the push for a more modern racial divide within the U.S. Between 1985 and 1988, reported cocaine-related deaths went up from 717 to 2,252. Emergency department visits and treatment admissions also increased during this time.
Nigeria’s healthcare system faces a troubling crisis as hospitals unlawfully detain newborns and their mothers over unpaid medical bills. This practice, which disproportionately affects low-income families, raises serious ethical concerns and exposes vulnerable infants to severe health risks. Despite efforts to expand health insurance coverage, gaps in implementation continue to leave many without protection, allowing this issue to persist.
Continue reading “Trapped at Birth: The Unlawful Detention of Newborns in Nigerian Hospitals”
Ongoing conflicts in Chad, combined with dire conditions, have left the country with a catastrophic lack of food security. An assessment found a staggering 2.4 million people do not have enough to eat, and the number is expected to rise to 3.7 million during the lean season from June to August. Continued conflict in Sudan is expected to worsen the food crisis, as more than 2 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. The combination of malnutrition and worsened food insecurity will place these children at an increased risk of dying in the coming months if conditions are not improved.
Continue reading “Hunger Crisis Looming in Chad”
On September 11, 2001, the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial aircraft, crashing two into the Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon Building, and one into a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks killed 2,977 people, including the hijackers.
Continue reading “Mark Alicea’s Case Study on the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks”
In 2018, Typhoon Jebi hit the Kansai International Airport, exposing critical vulnerabilities of coastal airports in Japan. The airport, built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, was inundated with flood water, stranding over 8,000 passengers and staff for nearly 36 hours.
Continue reading “Edward Zhang’s Case Study on Coastal Airports in Japan”
Georgia has joined 45 countries and one territory in achieving a malaria-free status. This significant milestone comes after a nearly hundred-year struggle of fighting the disease, and thousands of years suffering from it. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, congratulated the country on the accomplishment, as this is one of the world’s top killers. This represents a huge achievement, bringing Europe even closer to certification as the only malaria-free region in the world.
Continue reading “Georgia’s Malaria-Free Milestone”
In October 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) approved “The Policy to Strengthen Equity-Oriented Health Sector Action on Climate Change and Health.” The agenda was finalized at the 61st Directing Council Conference, which met in Washington, DC. The United State’s subsequent withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) threatens PAHO’s financial ability to implement its new climate policy.
Continue reading “U.S.’s WHO Withdrawal Jeopardizes 2025 PAHO Climate Change Agenda “
On January 1, 2025, 14 people were killed and dozens were injured when a truck drove through the crowded Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. After crashing through the street, the driver stepped out of the vehicle and was shot and killed by law enforcement. The event led to a mass response on social media, where the public questioned the city’s safety system.
Continue reading “Maya Moukarzel’s Case Study on the New Orleans Truck Attack”
Following the recent wave of employee layoffs, President Donald Trump and his administration continue their onslaught against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). The layoffs target probationary employees, specifically those who had recently transitioned into their role or have been with the organization for less than two years.
Continue reading “NIH Funding in Potential Peril”