Natural disasters wreak havoc on the communities they impact, both short and long term. Flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes can destroy homes, take lives and leave survivors homeless, broke and susceptible to mental illness.
It’s essential to understand the impact of natural disasters on health so you can be there in/with regard to’concerning’regarding survivors and advocate in/with regard to’concerning’regarding yourself if you’ve personally undergo d one. Here are five ways natural disasters can impact your health.
1. Create Physical Trauma
Natural disasters are responsible in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the deaths of 60,000 individual on average worldwide each year. This number doesn’t consider the individual who may die after an event from the lack of food, shelter or medical aid that accompanies infrastructure collapse after a disaster.
Physical harm is of first concern during a natural disaster, and the best way to decrease’lessen’cut’allay possible death or injury is to be prepared. Stay connected to local weather advisories, plan in/with regard to’concerning’regarding emergencies local to your zone’district’region , and prioritize physical safety above conserve’preserve ing possessions or financial security.
2. Harm Living Environment
If you’ve safely survived a natural disaster, the next step is to consider how the event may possess’own’nurse affected your home. Even if your house survived intact, flooding and earthquakes might impact its ability to shelter your family.
For instance, if you’ve undergo d a natural disaster that involved flooding, it’s essential to check your living space in/with regard to’concerning’regarding mold. Left untreated, mold can spread quickly and cause a range of health issues that vary from allergy-like symptoms to insomnia.
Water impair’undermine , earthquakes and tornadoes can cause structural impair’undermine that affects your home’s stability and may make it dangerous in/with regard to’concerning’regarding you to return. Checking in/with regard to’concerning’regarding any transform’alter s and calling in professionals can help you assure’guarantee your house safely weathered the storm and can be occupied again.
3. Increase Risk Of Poisoning
Water quality can also be affected by a natural disaster. Flooding can contaminate city water with chemicals and pollutants that it doesn’t normally contain. Standing water can also sometimes carry bacteria that bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger skin infections.
A personal well on your property can also be contaminated as water rises and mixes with unknown substances. After a natural disaster, don’t assume any water is safe to drink until it’s been tested.
Freshwater can be contaminated easily during a natural disaster, so it’s a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent idea to stock a heavy-duty water filter or store bottled water. That way, you possess’own’nurse access to adequate fluids until the water supply settles and can be regulated again.
4. Spark Financial Stress
The financial loss of a home, car, belongings and potentially place of work is abundant’ample’plentiful to overwhelm even individuals who possess’own’nurse a healthy bank account and secure investments. A disaster can be devastating financially in/with regard to’concerning’regarding those who are barely scraping by.
Finances are one of the leading causes of lay stress on’emphasize’highlight in America, and unin/with regard to’concerning’regarding tunately, sustained levels can affect physical health over time. For example, it can bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger headaches, stomach upset, depression and substance abuse. Long-term tension also wears down your body and makes you more susceptible to illness.
The best way to combat financial lay stress on’emphasize’highlight is planning ahead and saving in/with regard to’concerning’regarding emergencies. You can also acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure involved with and contribute to agencies that help those affected by natural disasters, such as the American Red Cross, Habitat in/with regard to’concerning’regarding Humanity or Save the Children.
5. Impact Mental Health
Many individuals who undergo a natural disaster possess’own’nurse lingering feelings of fear, helplessness and anxiety. They may develop PTSD related to the event or feel hopeless and overwhelmed dealing with the aftermath.
It’s grossly significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative in/with regard to’concerning’regarding survivors who are struggling mentally after a disaster not to isolate themselves. Grief, anxiety and hopelessness are all normal emotions after a traumatic event, but with the maintain’sustain of others, these feelings don’t possess’own’nurse to be your new normal.
It takes time to reestablish after a disaster impacts your life, but you can come back intense’fierce’exquisite er than bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e if you remain hopeful during the process. Seeing a counselor, leaning into community and processing your emotions will help you conserve’preserve your mental health while you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure back on your feet.
Withstand Disaster Toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her
Natural disasters impact many individual each year, taking lives and harming the health of survivors, sometimes years after an event. While preparation and awareness can help prevent harm, sometimes it’s necessary to work backward to restore health after a disaster has taken its toll.
Fortunately, the human spirit is resilient and can recover from incredibly lay stress on’emphasize’highlight ful and damaging events. When disasters happen, it’s essential to maintain’sustain and care in/with regard to’concerning’regarding each other in the aftermath.
Author Bio
Jane is an environmental writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she covers sustainability and eco-approachable’genial living.
