Perspectives on the health effects of hurricanes: A review and challenges

Authors

Samantha Lee, Case Western Reserve University
Dushyantha T. Jayaweera, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
Mehdi Mirsaeidi, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
John C. Beier, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
Naresh Kumar, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Date of this Version

3-1-2021

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Hurricanes are devastating natural disasters which dramatically modify the physical landscape and alter the socio-physical and biochemical characteristics of the environment, thus exposing the affected communities to new environmental stressors, which persist for weeks to months after the hurricane. This paper has three aims. First, it conceptualizes potential direct and indirect health effects of hurricanes and provides an overview of factors that exacerbate the health effects of hurricanes. Second, it summarizes the literature on the health impact of hurricanes. Finally, it examines the time lag between the hurricane (landfall) and the occurrence of diseases. Two major findings emerge from this paper. Hurricanes are shown to cause and exacerbate multiple diseases, and most adverse health impacts peak within six months following hurricanes. However, chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and mental disorders, continue to occur for years following the hurricane impact.

DOI

10.3390/ijerph18052756

Recommended Citation

Lee, Samantha; Jayaweera, Dushyantha T.; Mirsaeidi, Mehdi; Beier, John C.; and Kumar, Naresh, "Perspectives on the health effects of hurricanes: A review and challenges" (2021). All Faculty. 423.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/all_faculty/423