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Wang K, Zhong S, Wang X, Wang Z, Yang L, Wang Q, Wang S, Sheng R, Ma R, Lin S, Liu W, Zu R, Huang C. Assessment of the Public Health Risks and Impact of a Tornado in Funing, China, 23 June 2016: A Retrospective Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14101201. [PMID: 28994741 PMCID: PMC5664702 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Tornadoes are one of the deadliest disasters but their health impacts in China are poorly investigated. This study aimed to assess the public health risks and impact of an EF-4 tornado outbreak in Funing, China; (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis on the characteristics of tornado-related deaths and injuries was conducted based on the database from the Funing's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Funing People's Hospital. A change-point time-series analysis of weekly incidence for the period January 2010 to September 2016 was used to identify sensitive infectious diseases to the tornado; (3) Results: The 75 to 84 years old group was at the highest risk of both death (RR = 82.16; 95% CIs = 19.66, 343.33) and injury (RR = 31.80; 95% CI = 17.26, 58.61), and females were at 53% higher risk of death than males (RR = 1.53; 95% CIs = 1.02, 2.29). Of the 337 injuries, 274 injuries (81%) were minor. Most deaths occurred indoors (87%) and the head (74%) was the most frequent site of trauma during the tornado. Five diseases showed downward change-points; (4) Conclusions: The experience of the Funing tornado underscores the relative danger of being indoors during a tornado and is successful in avoiding epidemics post-tornado. Current international safety guidelines need modification when generalized to China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwen Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Shuang Zhong
- School of Government, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Xiaoye Wang
- Public Health Emergency Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- Public Health Emergency Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Lianping Yang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Qiong Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Suhan Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Rongrong Sheng
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Rui Ma
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Shao Lin
- School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Wenyu Liu
- Funing County's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yancheng 224400, China.
| | - Rongqiang Zu
- Department for Acute Infectious Disease Control, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 172 Jiangsu Road, Gulou District, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Cunrui Huang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, 2nd Yat-Sen Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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Savoia E, Lin L, Gamhewage GM. A Conceptual Framework for the Evaluation of Emergency Risk Communications. Am J Public Health 2017; 107:S208-S214. [PMID: 28892436 PMCID: PMC5594401 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2017.304040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To articulate a conceptual framework in support of evaluation activities in emergency risk communications (ERC). METHODS The framework proposed is based on a systematic review of the scientific literature (2001-2016) combined with data derived from a series of semistructured interviews with experts and practitioners in ERC, and it is designed to support local, national, and international public health organizations in implementing evaluation studies in ERC. RESULTS We identified a list of ERC outcomes from the full-text review of 152 articles and categorized these into 3 groups, depending upon the level at which the outcome was measured: (1) information environment, (2) population, and (3) public health system. We analyzed interviewees' data from 18 interviews to identify practices and processes related to the effectiveness of ERC and included these as key structural components and processes in the developed evaluation framework. CONCLUSIONS Researchers and public health practitioners interested in the evaluation of ERC can use the conceptual framework described in this article to guide the development of evaluation studies and methods for assessing communication outcomes related to public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Savoia
- Elena Savoia is with the Department of Biostatistics and Emergency Preparedness, Research, Evaluation, and Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Leesa Lin is with the Emergency Preparedness, Research, Evaluation, and Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Gaya Gamhewage is with Interventions and Guidance, Expert Networks and Interventions Unit, World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leesa Lin
- Elena Savoia is with the Department of Biostatistics and Emergency Preparedness, Research, Evaluation, and Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Leesa Lin is with the Emergency Preparedness, Research, Evaluation, and Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Gaya Gamhewage is with Interventions and Guidance, Expert Networks and Interventions Unit, World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gaya M Gamhewage
- Elena Savoia is with the Department of Biostatistics and Emergency Preparedness, Research, Evaluation, and Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Leesa Lin is with the Emergency Preparedness, Research, Evaluation, and Practice Program, Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Gaya Gamhewage is with Interventions and Guidance, Expert Networks and Interventions Unit, World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme, Geneva, Switzerland
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Cooper GP, Yeager V, Burkle FM, Subbarao I. Twitter as a Potential Disaster Risk Reduction Tool. Part I: Introduction, Terminology, Research and Operational Applications. PLOS CURRENTS 2015. [PMID: 26203395 PMCID: PMC4494697 DOI: 10.1371/currents.dis.a7657429d6f25f02bb5253e551015f0f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Twitter, a popular communications platform, is identified as contributing to improved mortality and morbidity outcomes resulting from the 2013 Hattiesburg, Mississippi EF-4 Tornado. This study describes the methodology by which Twitter was investigated as a potential disaster risk reduction and management tool at the community level and the process by which the at-risk population was identified from the broader Twitter user population. By understanding how various factors contribute to the superspreading of messages, one can better optimize Twitter as an essential communications and risk reduction tool. This study introduces Parts II, III and IV which further define the technological and scientific knowledge base necessary for developing future competency base curriculum and content for Twitter assisted disaster management education and training at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Paul Cooper
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Violet Yeager
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Frederick M Burkle
- Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Italo Subbarao
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
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Yeager V, Cooper GP, Burkle FM, Subbarao I. Twitter as a Potential Disaster Risk Reduction Tool. Part IV: Competency-based Education and Training Guidelines to Promote Community Resiliency. PLOS CURRENTS 2015; 7:ecurrents.dis.ce3fad537bd666770a649a076ee71ba4. [PMID: 26203398 PMCID: PMC4494752 DOI: 10.1371/currents.dis.ce3fad537bd666770a649a076ee71ba4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Twitter can be an effective tool for disaster risk reduction but gaps in education and training exist in current public health and disaster management educational competency standards. Eleven core public health and disaster management competencies are proposed that incorporate Twitter as a tool for effective disaster risk reduction. Greater funding is required to promote the education and training of this tool for those in professional schools and in the current public health and disaster management workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violet Yeager
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Guy Paul Cooper
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Frederick M Burkle
- Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Italo Subbarao
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
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