Frequency of natural disasters increases

Natural disasters and extreme weather is on the rise. The UK is affected by shrinking arctic sea ice and weakening gulf stream. This is set to bring more unpredictable and extreme weather. Weather conditions will also be in place for longer, as the weakening gulf stream means weather systems will be slower moving. This will all have an effect on the health of the population and will impact future public health.

More frequent natural disasters lead to many unplanned cases that occur with a high intensity over a short period of time. Natural disasters such as flooding and droughts can have a significant impact on the health condition of the population in a particular geographical area. The immediate health burden created by natural disasters depends on the nature of the disaster. There may be an increase in the transmission of existing infectious diseases, increased diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, etc. or increased vector-borne diseases. There also are impacts on mental health during and after natural disasters. There is overwhelming evidence that disasters can lead to a range of posttraumatic mental health problems, most commonly posttraumatic stress disorder or depression. 

With an ageing and increasing population, the effects of natural disasters are compounded, as more people will be vulnerable, isolated and require care. Flooding and other extreme weather will increase the demand for social housing and social care. The skills needed to treat people who have suffered from a negative consequence as a result of a natural disaster may not be identifiable until the event occurs (e.g. standing water in heavily flooded areas leading to an increase in disease carried through water). This prompts an increase in the number of flexible care staff, and larger emergency response teams. The workforce will need to skill up and across. This must align to emergency planning trends.

Proposed workforce impact

• The need for a GP workforce that is able to react to a sudden need, skill up and provide emergency treatment.
• The requirement for larger emergency response teams.

Sources or references

• Interviews with healthcare professionals as part of the CfWI’s Medical and Dental Student Intakes project, 2012
• http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/flood_cds/en/
• http://www.hpa.org.uk/
• http://www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/trends-in-natural-disasters_a899
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/14/arctic-sea-ice-harsh-winter-europe
• http://www.psychology.org.au/inpsych/impact_disasters/

Additional research questions

• What are some of the more long-term health consequences of each type of natural disaster?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.