While disasters occur across regions, their impacts are especially significant in the Caribbean. You may be more aware of the economic costs these island nations face, such as the money lost due to damaged infrastructure and the percentage of gross domestic product (the total value of goods produced and services offered in a country in a year) that nations estimate they need to allocate for recovery. However, another critical issue that needs more attention and action is the public health costs and burdens these states must bear. The reality is that these small island developing states are increasingly unable to cover these costs on their own, making it more necessary to seek support from regional and international groups. The health effects, which usually come with every disaster, are:
- Rise in Illnesses, Injuries, and Deaths: Neighborhoods and communities are increasingly vulnerable to waterborne diseases (e.g., the nearly nine-year cholera epidemic in Haiti that occurred months after the January 2010 earthquake), respiratory issues (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic and air pollution from uncontrolled fires), and untreated chronic non-communicable diseases. Additionally, if people are not prepared enough, the consequences may include physical injury or even death, both during disasters and in their aftermath.
- Mental Health Effects: The trauma from events before, during, and after disasters can cause post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression; this is especially true for children and youth, older people, and people with disabilities. The lack of mental health support services in disaster response is a critical gap that must be addressed.
- Disruption of Essential Services: It is crucial to maintain essential services during and after disasters. It is often disrupted, however, leading to the closure of clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies, and to limited access to essential medicines or routine care.
- Spread of Infectious Diseases: Before, during, and after disasters, individuals and families might evacuate their homes to find safety in designated shelters. However, without proper infection prevention and control systems, overcrowded shelters can become hotspots for the spread of diseases (e.g., COVID-19, gastroenteritis). Disasters may also lead to poor hygiene and sanitation, as is often the case with their destructive force.
Understanding the rising costs that affect these countries' most significant resources, it is clear that the Caribbean region must develop a collective, strategic approach to preserve the health and quality of life of its citizens in the short and long term.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) deserves recognition for the significant work it has undertaken through its Pandemic Fund Project, which provides multi-level support to low- and middle-income countries in strengthening their capability to prevent and respond to the widespread occurrence of infectious diseases at the government level.
At Regal State of Health Consultancy, we believe that prevention is better than a cure (or response). The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has highlighted that every US$1 spent on disaster risk prevention and reduction efforts can save nearly US$15 in disaster recovery.
You and your family may have paid a high toll in past disasters, but we can help you save. Learn about our suite of public health solutions and portfolio of our consultants' past achievements in our Services page, where we have demonstrated our ability to aid organizations in designing, implementing, and evaluating culturally grounded public health solutions for various types of disasters, thereby achieving holistic health and well-being across different phases of society. Additionally, purchase our new digital e-book, #ResilientByNature, which supports Caribbean communities in preparing to enhance their resilience and preparedness before, during, and after a disaster.