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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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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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Twitter as a Potential Disaster Risk Reduction Tool. Part III: Evaluating Variables that Promoted Regional Twitter Use for At-risk Populations During the 2013 Hattiesburg F4 Tornado. PLOS CURRENTS 2015. [PMID: 26203397 PMCID: PMC4494727 DOI: 10.1371/currents.dis.b305fe1b479528fda724c6f84f546471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Study goals attempt to identify the variables most commonly associated with successful tweeted messages and determine which variables have the most influence in promoting exponential dissemination of information (viral spreading of the message) and trending (becoming popular) in the given disaster affected region. METHODS Part II describes the detailed extraction and triangulation filtration methodological approach to acquiring twitter data for the 2013 Hattiesburg Tornado. The data was then divided into two 48 hour windows before and after the tornado impact with a 2 hour pre-tornado buffer to capture tweets just prior to impact. Criteria-based analysis was completed for Tweets and users. The top 100 pre-Tornado and post-Tornado retweeted users were compared to establish the variability among the top retweeted users during the 4 day span. RESULTS Pre-Tornado variables that were correlated to higher retweeted rates include total user tweets (0.324), and total times message retweeted (0.530). Post-Tornado variables that were correlated to higher retweeted rates include total hashtags in a retweet (0.538) and hashtags #Tornado (0.378) and #Hattiesburg (0.254). Overall hashtags usage significantly increased during the storm. Pre-storm there were 5,763 tweets with a hashtag and post-storm there was 13,598 using hashtags. CONCLUSIONS Twitter's unique features allow it to be considered a unique social media tool applicable for emergency managers and public health officials for rapid and accurate two way communication. Additionally, understanding how variables can be properly manipulated plays a key role in understanding how to use this social media platform for effective, accurate, and rapid mass information communication.
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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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