CDC Disaster Epidemiology

Disaster Epidemiology

The systematic study of health impacts caused by disasters, aiming to prevent deaths and injuries, provide timely health information for decision-making, and improve future prevention and mitigation strategies.

Situational Awareness in Disasters

Collecting health and needs information during a disaster helps assess the situation, determine needs, plan responses, and allocate resources to reduce mortality and morbidity.

Public Health Surveillance in Disasters

The collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to assess disaster impacts, detect disease outbreaks, and guide resource allocation and response planning.

Morbidity Surveillance

Tracks disease and injury trends during disasters, enabling early outbreak detection and informed public health interventions.

Mortality Surveillance

Monitors disaster-related deaths to measure impact and prevent excess mortality, supplementing standard vital statistics that may be delayed or disrupted.

CDC Disaster Response Tools

The CDC provides template forms for morbidity and mortality surveillance, shelter assessments, and the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) toolkit.

CDC Assistance for Disasters

State, tribal, local, and territorial health departments can request CDC consultation, technical assistance, and disaster epidemiology training to improve disaster response and preparedness.

Creating a Disaster Surveillance System

Requires clear objectives, identifying data sources, and using facility-based and nontraditional sources (hospitals, shelters, pharmacies) for data collection.

Data Collection in Disasters

Should focus on essential information, use easy data entry methods, and ensure timely dissemination to public health officials, relief workers, and affected communities.

Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER)

A rapid needs assessment using statistical methods to provide reliable, low-cost data for disaster planning, response, and resource allocation.

Uses of CASPER Data

Helps initiate public health actions, identify information gaps, facilitate disaster planning and recovery, and assess evolving community needs.

Epidemiologic Studies in Disasters

Investigate links between disasters and health outcomes, evaluate response programs, and improve future disaster preparedness strategies.

CDC’s Role in Disaster Research

Conducts studies on disaster-related health topics and provides technical assistance for epidemiologic research by public health partners.