Assessment of the Health Research Response and Investments in Relation to Large-Scale Disasters in the United States
Jacqueline Barkoski, Erin Van Fleet, Ann Liu, Aubrey K. MillerAbstract
Objectives
To describe health research following high-impact disasters (costs exceeding $1 billion) from 2010 to 2020 in the United States (U.S.) and to identify gaps and opportunities for improving post-disaster research to reduce adverse health impacts across communities.
Methods
Nine high-impact disasters were selected, and associated health research (N = 129 articles) was evaluated to characterize the health research response.
Results
Sixteen different health outcomes were studied, with most data collection occurring more than a year after the disaster. Most studies used a surrogate of exposure (n = 92, 71%). No studies evaluated interventions, and few informed public health policies (n = 20, 16%) or resources (n = 7, 5%).
Conclusions
Even among the most high-impact U.S. disasters, this study identified a fragmented health research response that is largely descriptive. Improvements in post-disaster data collection and generalizable research studies are needed to better characterize health impacts, evaluate interventions, and foster evidence-based strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality of those impacted. Enhanced efforts to improve investments in, and processes to support the conduct of, health research are critical to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.