Mental Health Crisis in Northeast Fukushima after the 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster

Fukunaga, Hisanori; Kumakawa, Hiromi

doi:10.1620/tjem.237.41

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In fact, the mental health effects of disasters such as earthquakes are more pervasive than the physical effects. 43 Currently, there are no mental health care facilities in peripheral health services. While recent earthquakes were only a sample of the natural disasters that affect mental health, for sustainable care of this population, mental health care must be integrated into all peripheral health care services in Nepal.…”

Section: Permanent Health Effects (Mental Health Disability Poverty)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthquakes, Fuel Crisis, Power Outages, and Health Care in Nepal: Implications for the Future

Adhikari

Mishra

Marahatta

et al. 2017

Disaster med. public health prep.

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Earthquakes are a major natural calamity with pervasive effects on human life and nature. Similar effects are mimicked by man-made disasters such as fuel crises and power outages in developing countries. Natural and man-made disasters can cause intangible human suffering and often leave scars of lifelong psychosocial damage. Lessons from these disasters are frequently not implemented. The main objective of this study was to review the effects of the 2015 earthquakes, fuel crisis, and power outages on the health services of Nepal and formulate recommendations for the future. The impacts of earthquakes on health can be divided into immediate, intermediate, and long-term effects. Power outages and fuel crises have health hazards at all stages. It is imperative to understand the temporal effects of earthquakes, because the major needs soon after the earthquake (emergency care) are vastly different from long-term needs such as rehabilitation and psychosocial support. In Nepal, the inadequate and nearly nonexistent specialized health care at the peripheral level claimed many lives during the earthquakes and left many people disproportionately injured. Preemptive strategies such as mobile critical care units at primary health centers, intensive care training for health workers, and alternative plans for emergency care must be prioritized. Similarly, infrastructural damage led to poor sanitation, and alternative plans for temporary settlements (water supply, food, settlements logistics, space for temporary settlements) must be in place where the danger of disease outbreak is imminent. While much of these strategies are implementable and are often set as priorities, long-term effects of earthquakes such as physical and psychosocial supports are often overlooked. The burden of psychosocial stresses, including depression and physical disabilities, needs to be prioritized by facilitating human resources for mental health care and rehabilitation. In addition, inclusion of mental health and rehabilitation facilities in government health care services of Nepal needs to be prioritized. Similarly, power outages and fuel crises affect health care disproportionately. In the current context where permanent solutions may not be possible, mitigating health hazards, especially cold chain maintenance for essential medicines and continuation of life-saving procedures, are mandatory and policies to regulate all health care services must be undertaken. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:625-632).

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Section: Permanent Health Effects (Mental Health Disability Poverty)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthquakes, Fuel Crisis, Power Outages, and Health Care in Nepal: Implications for the Future

Adhikari

Mishra

Marahatta

et al. 2017

Disaster med. public health prep.

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“…For the present study, the coastal Soso District of Fukushima Prefecture was defined as an affected area. Soso District was directly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami and is located closest to the nuclear power plant (Fukunaga and Kumakawa 2015 ). Aizu and Minami-Aizu districts, which are located in the mountainous inland of Fukushima Prefecture, were combined for the present study and defined as a less-affected area.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on feeding methods and newborn growth at 1 month postpartum: results from the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Kyozuka

Yasuda

Kawamura

et al. 2016

Radiat Environ Biophys

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This study examined the effects of three disasters (the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, followed by a tsunami and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident) on feeding methods and growth in infants born after the disasters. Using results from the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Soso District (the affected area where the damaged nuclear power plant is located) and Aizu District (a less-affected area located farthest from the plant) were compared. In this study, newborn and maternal background characteristics were examined, as well as feeding methods, and other factors for newborn growth at the first postpartum examination for 1706 newborns born after the disaster in the affected (n = 836) and less-affected (n = 870) areas. Postpartum examinations took place 1 month after birth. Feeding method trends were examined, and multivariate regression analyses were used to investigate effects on newborn mass gain. There were no significant differences in background characteristics among newborns in these areas. When birth dates were divided into four periods to assess trends, no significant change in the exclusive breastfeeding rate was found, while the exclusive formula-feeding rate was significantly different across time periods in the affected area (p = 0.02). Multivariate analyses revealed no significant independent associations of maternal depression and change in medical facilities (possible disaster effects) with other newborn growth factors in either area. No area differences in newborn growth at the first postpartum examination or in exclusive breastfeeding rates were found during any period. Exclusive formula-feeding rates varied across time periods in the affected, but not in the less-affected area. It is concluded that effective guidance to promote breast-feeding and prevent exclusive use of formula is important for women in post-disaster circumstances.

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“…On 11 March 2011, a devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami caused serious damage to various areas of the Pacific coast in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture and all residents feared the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant's reactors (Shibahara 2011;Ishigaki et al 2013;Fukunaga and Kumakawa 2015;Fukunaga and Yokoya 2016).…”

Section: The Fukushima Nuclear Accidentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-dose radiation-induced risk in spermatogenesis

Fukunaga

Butterworth

Yokoya

et al. 2017

International Journal of Radiation Biology

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Purpose: To discuss low-dose radiation-induced risks to male fertility focusing on potential mechanisms of low-dose radiation-induced damage on spermatogenesis, epidemiological studies of environmental radiation effects on sperm parameters and transgenerational effects following exposure of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Background: Spermatogenesis produces mature male gametes, spermatozoa, which fertilize their counterpart female gametes, oocytes. The robust maintenance system of spermatogenesis is essential for genomic conservation; however, male fertility can be readily impacted by exposure to environmental, chemical and physical factors including ionizing radiation. The mammalian testes are known to be radiosensitive yet the underlying molecular mechanisms of low-dose radiation-induced risks for spermatogenesis remain unclear. Furthermore, evidence characterizing transgenerational effects following exposure of SSCs remain controversial. Conclusions: Current concerns over the possible effects of low-dose radiation exposure on spermatogenesis requires further elucidation that may be resolved comparing and integrating observed experimental and epidemiological data. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Mental Health Crisis in Northeast Fukushima after the 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Earthquakes, Fuel Crisis, Power Outages, and Health Care in Nepal: Implications for the Future

Earthquakes, Fuel Crisis, Power Outages, and Health Care in Nepal: Implications for the Future

Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on feeding methods and newborn growth at 1 month postpartum: results from the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Low-dose radiation-induced risk in spermatogenesis

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