Evolving Trends and Research Hotspots in Disaster Epidemiology From 1985 to 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background: Disaster epidemiology has not attracted enough attention in the past few decades and still faces significant challenges. This study aimed to systematically analyze the evolving trends and research hotspots in disaster epidemiology and provide insights into disaster epidemiology.Methods: We searched the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) databases between 1985 and 2020 to identify relevant literature on disaster epidemiology. The retrieval strategies were TITLE-ABS-KEY (disaster epidemiology) and TS = (disaster AND epidemiology). Bibliometrix, VOSviewer 1.6.6 and SigmaPlot 12.5 were used to analyze the key bibliometric indicators, including trends and annual publications, the contributions of countries, institutions, journals and authors, and research hotspots.Results: A total of 1,975 publications were included. There was an increasing trend in publications over the past 35 years. The USA was the most productive country. The most frequent institutions and journals were Fukushima Medical University and Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. Galea S made significant contributions to this field. “Epidemiology” was the highest-frequency keyword. COVID-19 was highly cited after 2019. Three research hotspots were identified: (i) the short- and long-term adverse health effects of disasters on the population; (ii) COVID-19 pandemic and emergency preparedness; and (iii) disaster management.Conclusions: In recent decades, the USA was a global leader in disaster epidemiology. Disaster management, the short- and long-term health effects of disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic reflected the research focuses. Our results suggest that these directions will remain research hotspots in the future. International collaboration is also expected to widen and deepen in the field of disaster epidemiology.

Use of Facebook for civilian-led disaster response after a winter storm: A “Snowed Out Atlanta” case study

Objective: To determine disaster response-related contexts and themes of Facebook posts that were communicated on the “Snowed Out Atlanta” Facebook page in response to winter storm Leon in 2014. Design: A content analysis.Participants: A sample of 537 posts from the “Snowed Out Atlanta” Facebook page posted between January 29, 2014 and February 4, 2014.Main outcome measures: (1) Disaster response-related contexts and themes of Facebook posts communicated in response to winter storm Leon; (2) the shift in the contexts and themes of posts following the storm; and (3) health-related significance of posts for disaster epidemiology purposes.Results: Of the 537 posts from the “Snowed Out Atlanta” Facebook page, 260 posts (48 percent) were of importance to disaster response efforts. Thirty-eight percent of these posts offered some form of assistance, of which general help and assisting with basic necessities were the dominant themes. One day after winter storm Leon, 189 (64 percent) of the Facebook posts were related to disaster response. Findings also show that very few posts (3.2 percent) from the “Snowed Out Atlanta” page were relevant for disaster epidemiology purposes.Conclusion: Overall, the “Snowed Out Atlanta” Facebook page is a representation of how social media forums can be used to mitigate adverse effects of severe winter weather events. Nearly half of the Facebook posts were relevant for disaster response and were more common in the immediate aftermath of winter storm Leon. Most of the posts offered general help or assistance with basic necessities. An analysis of posts with health-related content suggested that disaster epidemiology should be emphasized less for severe winter weather compared to other hazards. The results from this study provide insightful information to anticipate the needs of people adversely impacted by severe winter weather.

Victimization of people by natural disasters: Spatial and temporal distribution of consequences

This paper is a descriptive statistical analysis of geospatial and temporal distributions of victimized people (killed, injured, affected and damage) with specific reference to geophysical, meteorological, climatological, biological and hydrological disasters that have occurred in the world of from 1900 to 2013 year. In addition, people affected by the various natural disasters could be classified as invisible victims as they are not recognized as victims either by the state or society, and consequently they do not receive adequate protection, assistance and support. Statistical research was conducted on data from the international database of the Centre for Research on Disaster Epidemiology Disaster (CRED) in Brussels. Temporal analysis examined the distribution and effects of natural disasters on people, at intervals of ten years. The same methodology was adopted for analyses of geospatial distribution of victimized people because of natural disasters by continent. The aim of the research is to determine the geospatial and temporal distribution of victimization of people with natural disasters in the world geospace in the period from 1900 to 2013. The survey results clearly indicate an increase in the number and severity of the consequences of natural disasters.