Tree-Related Injuries Associated With Response and Recovery From Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey, 2011-2014

Marshall, Elizabeth G.; Lu, Shou‐En; Williams, Abimbola Onigbanjo; Lefkowitz, Daniel; Borjan, Marija

doi:10.1177/0033354918766871

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This demonstrates that these age groups should be the focus of attention after any major disaster. Extreme weather events place working-age adults at further risk of injury, as residents and relief workers go out to remove debris, open access to transit, and restore power (Marshall et al 2018;Rusiecki et al 2014;Seil 2016). Moreover, it is well known that the elderly are susceptible to suffer falls, which makes them prone to suffering a fall when environmental conditions are worse or when they have to perform duties that do not fit their capabilities (Bergen et al 2014;Hefny et al 2016;Rubenstein 2006;Florence et al 2018;Alizo et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of traumatic falls after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

et al. 2020

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Background: Hurricanes are among the most devastating natural disasters, playing a significant role in public health. Currently, the epidemiology of fall-related injuries after the occurrence of a tropical storm is not well described. This study aims to compare the demographical patterns, clinical profile, hospital course, and costs of patients admitted to the Puerto Rico Trauma Hospital before and after Hurricane Maria. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to compare fall-related injuries after the hurricane (September 20, 2017-January 20, 2018) with a control period (same period in 2014-2016). Comparison between the groups was done using chi-square, Mann-Whitney test, and logistical regression. Results: After the hurricane, there was an increase in the proportion of fall-related admissions in subjects aged 40-64 years (39.2% vs. 50.6%) and a decrease among those aged 18-39 years (16.0% vs. 5.9%), when compared with the previous years. A greater proportion of patients presented with work related injuries (3.9% vs. 9.4%). No significant differences were identified for sex, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, and hospital outcomes (hospital and intensive care unit days, mechanical ventilation, and mortality). Intracranial injuries were marginally higher post-Maria (p = 0.06). In multivariate analysis, during the post-Maria period, an increased risk of fall-related injuries was observed among subjects ≥40 years (OR: 3.20) and injuries related to recovery work (OR: 2.64) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows that there is an increased risk of fall-related injuries among middle-aged individuals after a hurricane, causing significant changes in epidemiology. This study helps to elucidate the health consequences of falls and, in doing so, improves healthcare preparedness, interventions, and planning for future natural disasters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of traumatic falls after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

et al. 2020

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“…27 The increase in traumatic injuries associated with natural disasters like hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes 28 may also necessitate plastic surgery interventions. 29 Hurricanes in the United States, for example, have led to complex lower extremity injuries, 30 laceration and hand trauma associated with tree removal, 31 and surges in hand trauma associated with animal bites from displaced domestic animals. 32 Indirectly, climate change may also be associated with worsening collective violence, 33 such as armed conflict and violent crime, similarly necessitating plastic surgery interventions for traumatic injuries.…”

Section: Patient-level Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Larger and longer-lasting wildfires 26 Increasing demand for complex wound and burn care 27 Worsening natural disasters 28 Increasing traumatic injury burden 28 and demand for extremity and hand reconstruction [29][30][31][32] Worsening collective violence 33 Increasing demand for complex reconstruction following violent trauma Rising cancer incidence (eg, breast cancer) 34,35 Increasing demand for cancer reconstruction Strain on global food supply with resulting obesity and malnutrition 36,37 Increased risk for poor wound healing 38,39 Strain on global water supply, irrigation, and sanitation 40,41 Increased risk for postsurgical infection 11 Increasing warm weather 1 Increased risk for surgical site infections 42 order to cater to shifting demands and patient populations. In addition, natural disasters and extreme weather have significantly disrupted hospital operations around the globe, 43,[46][47][48] which may lead to more frequent case cancelations, particularly for elective cases.…”

Section: Climate Change Factor Potential Impact On Plastic Surgerymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Narrative Review of Plastic Surgery and Climate Change: Context and Considerations

Hyland

Yates

Broyles

2022

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Climate change poses significant threats to human health and society. Although healthcare will bear a large burden of the downstream effects of climate change, the healthcare industry is simultaneously a major contributor to climate change. Within hospitals, surgery is one of the most energy-intensive practices. There is a growing body of literature describing ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change in surgery. However, there is a need to better understand the unique implications for each surgical subspecialty. This review contextualizes plastic and reconstructive surgery within the climate change discussion. In particular, this review highlights the specific ways in which plastic surgery may affect climate change and how climate change may affect plastic surgery. In light of growing public demand for change and greater alignment between industries and nations with regard to climate change solutions, we also offer a conceptual framework to guide further work in this burgeoning field of research.

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“…After Hurricane Sandy, tree-related injuries increased significantly [ 56 ]. Deaths after Hurricane Isabel in Virginia included drowning, traumatic head injuries from falling trees, motor vehicle crashes, and power outages.…”

Section: Health Impacts Of Hurricane—a Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives on the Health Effects of Hurricanes: A Review and Challenges

Waddell

Jayaweera

Mirsaeidi

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Hurricanes are devastating natural disasters which dramatically modify the physical landscape and alter the socio-physical and biochemical characteristics of the environment, thus exposing the affected communities to new environmental stressors, which persist for weeks to months after the hurricane. This paper has three aims. First, it conceptualizes potential direct and indirect health effects of hurricanes and provides an overview of factors that exacerbate the health effects of hurricanes. Second, it summarizes the literature on the health impact of hurricanes. Finally, it examines the time lag between the hurricane (landfall) and the occurrence of diseases. Two major findings emerge from this paper. Hurricanes are shown to cause and exacerbate multiple diseases, and most adverse health impacts peak within six months following hurricanes. However, chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and mental disorders, continue to occur for years following the hurricane impact.

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Tree-Related Injuries Associated With Response and Recovery From Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey, 2011-2014

Abstract: A major hurricane was associated with an increase in tree-related injuries in emergency departments, especially for mechanisms consistent with handling downed and damaged trees. Further research should confirm these findings and evaluate opportunities for preventing tree-related injuries.

Cited by 14 publications

References 14 publications

Epidemiology of traumatic falls after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Epidemiology of traumatic falls after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

A Narrative Review of Plastic Surgery and Climate Change: Context and Considerations

Perspectives on the Health Effects of Hurricanes: A Review and Challenges

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