Technical Guidance → Health concerns in emergencies

Health concerns in emergencies

 

This page is currently under review

 

Disasters almost always have significant impacts on the public health and well-being of affected populations – both direct (e.g. injury, psychological trauma) or indirect (e.g. disease, malnutrition)

Public Health Impact of Selected Disasters
Effect Complex emergencies Earthquake High winds Floods Flash floods / tsunamis
Deaths Many Many Few Few Many
Severe injuries Varies Many Moderate Few Few
Risk of communicable disease High Small Small Varies Small
Food scarcity Common Rare Rare Varies Common
Major population displacements Common (may occur in heavily damaged urban areas) Rare Rare Common Varies

Adapted from Pan American Health Organisation, Emergency Health Management After Natural Disaster, 1981

Health systems and infrastructure                                                             (p259)

People have access to health services that:

  • are prioritised to address the main causes of excess mortality (death) or morbidity (incidence of disease)
  • support existing health systems, structures and providers
  • are coordinated across agencies and sectors to achieve maximum impact
  • based on relevant primary health care principles
  • clinical services are standardised and follow accepted protocols and guidelines
  • the design and development of health services are guided by ongoing coordinated collection, analysis and utilisation of relevant public health data

Control of communicable diseases                                                          (p274)

  • access to information and services designed to prevent communicable diseases
  • all children aged 6 months to 15 years have immunity against measles
  • access to effective diagnosis and treatment for those infectious diseases which contribute most significantly to preventable excess morbidity and mortality
  • measures taken to prepare for and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases
  • outbreaks of communicable diseases are detected, investigated and controlled in a timely and effective manner
  • people have access to minimum package of services to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS

Control of non-communicable diseases                                                   (p 286)

People have access to:

  • appropriate services for the management of injuries
  • minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for their reproductive health needs
  • social and mental health services
  • essential therapies to prevent death from chronic disease

Page references refer to the Sphere Handbook 2004 edition.

It is also important to adhere to local and national standards and guidelines where possible

This page was last updated on 8 July 2011