Impact of Natural Disasters on Chronic Health Conditions

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods exert profound and enduring effects on populations with pre-existing chronic health conditions. Disruption of healthcare infrastructure, interruption of medication supplies and deterioration of living conditions combine to exacerbate non-communicable diseases. Elderly and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, metabolic decompensation and psychological stress. Physical displacement often entails crowded shelters with limited sanitary facilities, heightening the risk of deterioration in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The stress of evacuation and loss of social support contributes to worsening mental health outcomes and cognitive decline. Longitudinal observations reveal that even months after the acute phase, bodyweight gain, impaired glucose metabolism and sleep disturbances remain elevated among disaster survivors. Effective disaster management must therefore encompass continuity of care for chronic illnesses, nutritional optimisation in evacuation settings, and psychosocial support tailored to at-risk groups. Early assessment of shelter conditions, proactive distribution of essential medications and integration of surveillance systems for non-communicable disease indicators can mitigate long-term morbidity. Building resilient supply chains and community networks enhances recovery and reduces the global burden of chronic disease exacerbation in the aftermath of natural catastrophes.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Impact of Natural Disasters on Chronic Health Conditions publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in impact of natural disasters on chronic health conditions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Chronic health condition: A long-term medical condition that persists over time and may require ongoing management, such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic respiratory disorders.

Metabolic profile: A set of laboratory and clinical measures (including blood glucose, lipid levels and body mass index) that reflect an individual’s metabolic state and risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

Comorbidity: The simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions within a single patient, which may interact to worsen health outcomes.

Cognitive impairment: A decline in mental functions such as memory, attention and executive processes, often exacerbated by stress, social isolation or inadequate living conditions after a disaster.

References

1. Meals in Shelters during Noto Peninsula Earthquakes Are Deficient in Energy and Protein for Older Adults Vulnerable to the Disaster: Challenges and Responses. Nutrients (2024).
2. Mental Health and Related Factors after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. PLOS ONE (2014).
3. Evacuation after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident Is a Cause of Diabetes: Results from the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Journal of Diabetes Research (2015).
4. Changes in metabolic profiles after the Great East Japan Earthquake: a retrospective observational study. BMC Public Health (2013).
5. Acute post-disaster medical needs of patients with diabetes: emergency department use in New York City by diabetic adults after Hurricane Sandy. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care (2016).
6. Association between shelter crowding and incidence of sleep disturbance among disaster evacuees: a retrospective medical chart review study. BMJ Open (2016).
7. Changes in Cognitive Functions in the Elderly Living in Temporary Housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake. PLOS ONE (2016).
8. Weight Gain in Survivors Living in Temporary Housing in the Tsunami-Stricken Area during the Recovery Phase following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. PLOS ONE (2016).