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Dagnino F, Qian Z, Beatrici E. Assessing the ripple effects of natural disasters on healthcare systems: a narrative review. Curr Opin Urol 2024; 34:371-376. [PMID: 38881293 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Natural disasters are on the rise, driven by shifts in climatic patterns largely attributed to human-induced climate change. This relentless march of climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of these disasters, heightening the vulnerability of communities and causing significant harm to both lives and socio-economic systems. Healthcare services are particularly strained during extreme weather events, with impacts felt not only on infrastructure but also on patient care. RECENT FINDINGS This narrative review explored the overarching impact of natural disasters on healthcare infrastructure. We delved into how these disasters impact diverse health conditions, the healthcare systems of low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the psychological toll on both clinicians and survivors, and the ramifications for end-of-life care. SUMMARY Natural disasters significantly impact healthcare, especially in LMICs due to their limited resources. Patients with cancer or chronic diseases struggle to access care following a natural disaster. Those in need for palliative care experience delay due to shortages in medical resources. Psychological consequences like posttraumatic stress disorder on disaster survivors and healthcare providers highlight the need for mental health support. Addressing challenges requires proactive disaster preparedness policies and urgent public policy initiatives are needed for optimal disaster response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Dagnino
- Department of Urology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University
- Department of Urology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Zhiyu Qian
- Department of Urology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edoardo Beatrici
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University
- Department of Urology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Chamoun K, Mouawad J, Salameh P, Sacre H, Haddad R, Khabbaz LR, Megarbane B, Hajj A. Opioid use disorder in two samples of the Lebanese population: scale validation and correlation with sleep and mood disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:797. [PMID: 37914993 PMCID: PMC10619223 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The revised Opioid Risk Tool (ORT-OUD) is a brief, self-report scale designed to provide clinicians with a simple, validated method to screen for the risk of developing an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in patients without a prior history of substance abuse. This study aimed to translate and validate the Arabic version of ORT-OUD in the Lebanese population and assess its clinical validity in a sample of patients with OUD. METHODS This cross-sectional study in the Lebanese population used several validated scales to assess the risk of OUD, including the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Other tools evaluated chronotype and sleep and mood disturbances. Principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was applied to assess ORT-OUD construct validity. Convergent validity with the Arabic version of ASSIST was evaluated. The ORT-OUD criterion validity was then assessed in a clinical sample of patients with OUD. RESULTS This study included 581 participants. The prevalence of the OUD risk in the Lebanese population using the ORT-OUD scale and the ASSIST-opioids scale was estimated at 14.5% and 6.54%, respectively. No items of the ORT-OUD were removed; all items converged over a solution of four factors with an eigenvalue > 1, explaining a total of 68.2% of the variance (Cronbach's alpha = 0.648). The correlation coefficients between the ORT-OUD total score and ASSIST subscales were as follows: ASSIST-opioids (r = 0.174; p = < 0.001), ASSIST-sedatives (r = 0.249; p < 0.001), and ASSIST-alcohol (r = 0.161; p = < 0.001). ORT-OUD clinical validation showed a correlation with ASSIST-opioids (r = 0.251; p = 0.093) and ASSIST-sedatives (r = 0.598; p < 0.001). Higher ORT-OUD scores were associated with a family and personal history of alcohol and substance consumption and higher insomnia and anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to validate the Arabic version of ORT-OUD in the Lebanese population, an essential step towards improving the detection and management of OUD in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karam Chamoun
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Inserm, UMR-S1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Joseph Mouawad
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie- Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Egkomi, Nicosia, 2417, Cyprus
| | - Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie- Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ramzi Haddad
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lydia Rabbaa Khabbaz
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Bruno Megarbane
- Inserm, UMR-S1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Federation of Toxicology, Lariboisière-Fernand Widal Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Aline Hajj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada.
- Oncology Division, CHU de Québec- Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
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Huang W, Gao Y, Xu R, Yang Z, Yu P, Ye T, Ritchie EA, Li S, Guo Y. Health Effects of Cyclones: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:86001. [PMID: 37639476 PMCID: PMC10461789 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More intense cyclones are expected in the future as a result of climate change. A comprehensive review is urgently needed to summarize and update the evidence on the health effects of cyclones. OBJECTIVES We aimed to provide a systematic review with meta-analysis of current evidence on the risks of all reported health outcomes related to cyclones and to identify research gaps and make recommendations for further research. METHODS We systematically searched five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) for relevant studies in English published before 21 December 2022. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we developed inclusion criteria, screened the literature, and included epidemiological studies with a quantitative risk assessment of any mortality or morbidity-related outcomes associated with cyclone exposures. We extracted key data and assessed study quality for these studies and applied meta-analyses to quantify the overall effect estimate and the heterogeneity of comparable studies. RESULTS In total, 71 studies from eight countries (the United States, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia, Brazil), mostly the United States, were included in the review. These studies investigated the all-cause and cause-specific mortality, as well as morbidity related to injury, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, mental disorders, adverse birth outcomes, cancer, diabetes, and other outcomes (e.g., suicide rates, gender-based violence). Studies mostly included only one high-amplitude cyclone (cyclones with a Saffir-Simpson category of 4 or 5, i.e., Hurricanes Katrina or Sandy) and focused on mental disorders morbidity and all-cause mortality and hospitalizations. Consistently elevated risks of overall mental health morbidity, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as all-cause mortality or hospitalizations, were found to be associated with cyclones. However, the results for other outcomes were generally mixed or limited. A statistically significant overall relative risk of 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.13], 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.25), 1.15 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.18), 1.26 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.50) was observed for all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalizations, respiratory disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalizations, respectively, after cyclone exposures, whereas no statistically significant risks were identified for diabetes mortality, heart disease mortality, and preterm birth. High between-study heterogeneity was observed. CONCLUSIONS There is generally consistent evidence supporting the notion that high-amplitude cyclones could significantly increase risks of mental disorders, especially for PTSD, as well as mortality and hospitalizations, but the evidence for other health outcomes, such as chronic diseases (e.g., CVDs, cancer, diabetes), and adverse birth outcomes remains limited or inconsistent. More studies with rigorous exposure assessment, of larger spatial and temporal scales, and using advanced modeling strategy are warranted in the future, especially for those small cyclone-prone countries or regions with low and middle incomes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12158.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhong Huang
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yuan Gao
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rongbin Xu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhengyu Yang
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pei Yu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tingting Ye
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Ritchie
- School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Sri A, Bhugra D, Persaud A, Tribe R, Gnanapragasam S, Castaldelli-Maia JM, Torales J, Ventriglio A. Global mental health and climate change: A geo-psychiatry perspectiv. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 84:103562. [PMID: 37030088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Climate changes affect planet ecosystems, living beings, humans, including their lives, rights, economy, housing, migration, and both physical and mental health. Geo-psychiatry is a new discipline within the field of psychiatry studying the interface between various geo-political factors including geographical, political, economic, commercial and cultural determinants which affect society and psychiatry: it provides a holistic overview on global issues such as climate changes, poverty, public health and accessibility to health care. It identifies geopolitical factors and their effects at the international and national levels, as well as considers the politics of climate changes and poverty within this context. This paper then introduces the Compassion, Assertive Action, Pragmatism, and Evidence Vulnerability Index (CAPE-VI) as a global foreign policy index: CAPE-VI calculates how foreign aid should be prioritised for countries that are at risk or already considered to be fragile. These countries are characterised by various forms of conflict, disadvantaged by extremes of climate change, poverty, human rights abuses, and suffering from internal warfare or terrorism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sri
- Core Trainee Psychiatrist, Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, Cornwall, UK
| | | | - Albert Persaud
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Rachel Tribe
- School of Psychology, UEL and Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Queen Mary, University of London, UK
| | - Sam Gnanapragasam
- NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - João M Castaldelli-Maia
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André, SP 09060-870, Brazil
| | - Julio Torales
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
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Abstract
Natural disasters are large-scale adverse events resulting from natural processes of the earth, often associated with death, trauma, and destruction of property. They threaten harm or death to a large group of people; cause disruption of services and social networks and a communal loss of resources; and involve identifiable mental and physical health outcomes, among those affected. While majority of individuals who experience a traumatic event due to natural disasters do not develop psychopathology, natural disasters can threaten our psychological well-being in many ways and they can result in both short and long-term psychological distress and thus create a significant burden of mental health conditions on individuals and the community affected by them. In this paper we provide a narrative review that focuses on the mental health effects of natural disasters. We discuss effective, evidence-based interventions that can help enhance the sense of safety, hope, and optimism, as well as serve to promote social connectedness for those who are impacted. We describe how these interventions, developed by keeping in mind the cultural context and the needs of the community, can be provided pre, peri and post-disaster period to improve the adverse mental health effects of the disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sy Atezaz Saeed
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Steven P Gargano
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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