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Floods and human health: a systematic review
Katarzyna Alderman1, Lyle R Turner, Shilu Tong
1School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Environment International
|July 4, 2012
Summary
Floods cause significant global health impacts, increasing mortality and disease outbreaks. Understanding these effects is crucial for effective flood preparedness and mitigation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Floods are the most frequent global disasters, causing substantial mortality, disproportionately affecting low-income countries.
- Recent epidemiological evidence highlights the significant, yet not fully understood, impacts of floods on human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent epidemiological studies (2004-2011) on the quantitative relationship between floods and human health outcomes.
- To categorize and analyze short- and long-term health effects associated with flood events.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published articles from 2004 to 2011.
- Identification and analysis of 35 epidemiological studies quantifying flood-health relationships.
Main Results:
- Mortality rates increased up to 50% in the first year post-flood.
- Increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., hepatitis E, leptospirosis) and significant psychological distress in survivors.
- Long-term health effects remain poorly understood, influenced by flood characteristics and population vulnerability.
Conclusions:
- Effective policies are needed to mitigate flood-related morbidity and mortality, requiring a better understanding of health impacts.
- Flood preparedness and mitigation programs must integrate global trends like urbanization and disease burden.
- Further research is essential to elucidate long-term health consequences and inform public health interventions.
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