Description
Illustrated with examples from recent research in the field, this book summarizes the most pertinent and useful information about the public health impact of disasters. It is divided into four sections dealing with general issues, geophysical events, weather-related problems, and human-generated disasters. Throughout the book the focus is on the level of epidemiologic knowledge about each aspect of disasters. Exposure-, disease-, and health-event surveillance are stressed because of the importance of objective data to disaster epidemiology and effective decision-making. In addition, the contributors pay particular attention to prevention and control measures, and provide practical recommendations in areas in which the public health practitioner needs more useful information. The text advocates stronger epidemiologic awareness as the basis for better understanding and control of disasters. A comprehensive theoretical and practical treatment of the subject, The Public Health Consequences of Disasters is an invaluable tool for epidemiologists, disaster relief specialists, physicians, and other public health professionals who treat disaster victims.
