Natural Disasters and Public Health

2018 brought multiple, unprecedented natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and in the United States, the deadliest wildfire in California's history. After the immediate emergency is over and the media attention wanes, communities must deal with the long process of recovering and rebuilding. Yet, some of the greatest challenges that disaster victims face come not only from the disaster itself but also from the long-term health problems stemming from the event. In the immediate aftermath, physical injuries and infections must be treated and controlled. Long-term needs include mental and psychological assistance and reinstatement of the infrastructure of the health services system. While immediate casualty numbers are often cited following a natural disaster, it's the insidious and long-lasting health effects that can hurt communities for years.