Health after disaster: A perspective of psychological/health reactions to disaster

Abstract

Superstorm Sandy, which affected millions of people in 2012, was a disaster in structural, financial, medical, and emotional terms. Many survivors experienced post-storm health psychology impacts. Depression levels increased by 25%, and physician visits were elevated by a significant amount. Clearly, large-scale disasters have a profound effect on the physical and emotional health of survivors. Understanding these effects can improve future disaster relief programs and policies. Exploration of post-disaster issues can inform government entities and non-government organizations to assist communities and individuals left in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Keywords

• hurricane
• disaster
• mental health
• survivors
• depression
• medical
• stress
• storm
• trauma
• post-disaster