Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

AADM President Discusses Health Impacts of Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters

AADM President Discusses Health Impacts of Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural DisastersDamages from the recent onslaught of natural disasters, including hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, have reached about $300 billion. That estimate, however, does not address the cost of human suffering. As healthcare professionals can attest, the negative health impacts of natural disasters can be consequential, even affecting some victims long term.

Dr. Arthur Cooper, President of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine (AADM) and Chair of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), says that in the immediate aftermath of a hurricane or other natural disaster, among individuals suffering negative health effects, acute physical trauma tends to predominate, with the very young, the very old, the disabled, and the homeless being especially vulnerable. During the disaster’s early recovery phase, visits to hospital emergency departments that remain intact actually decrease in the first week, and increase in the second week, he says. The most common type of ailments during this phase, in addition to minor injuries such as lacerations and contusions, includes upper and lower respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues. During the first two weeks of the recovery phase, patients who are on medications are also vulnerable, as they tend to run out of meds and must seek medical care for this reason alone.

Disaster survivors with preexisting conditions can be in significant trouble if hospitals and medical centers are not open, Dr. Cooper says. For instance, in the flooding associated with a storm surge, the debris and waste that collect can be a rich breeding ground for water borne and vector borne diseases, which can lead to acute exacerbation of illnesses such as asthma. This partly explains why respiratory diseases are so common after a natural disaster. It’s also what makes the water unsafe to drink, leading to a prevalence of gastrointestinal issues.

Dr. Cooper says that in shelters, where people live close together in confined spaces, transmission of respiratory diseases is also a common occurrence. Clusters of disease such as dengue fever and malaria have been reported in crowded storm shelters. As for people who choose not to evacuate and instead stay in their homes, while drowning is a major concern, deaths are generally more associated with illnesses that result from a lack of medical care and injuries related to cleanup.

Months, even years after a disaster, psychological problems can persist, Dr. Cooper warns. He points to a study that showed that as much as 80 percent of survivors reported experiencing behavioral health issues one year after the event. Two years after, the number was as high as 50 percent.

What recommendation does Dr. Cooper have for clinicians who live in areas prone to natural disasters? “Disaster medicine absolutely has to be every physician’s specialty,” he says. In terms of physician readiness, education is the most powerful tool, and he strongly encourages physicians to avail themselves of any program that can help them prepare.

The ABPS is the only multi-specialty certification body offering certification and recertification in disaster medicine. Through the American Board of Disaster Medicine (ABODM), physicians can demonstrate that they are qualified to help federal, state, and local authorities contribute to relief and recovery from a disaster. Board certification with the ABODM also means that certified physicians are experts at disaster planning and response. For more information about the ABODM and details about eligibility requirements for certification in disaster medicine, contact the ABPS today.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information
Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact