Infectious Disease and Natural Disaster

The earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 was one of the worst natural disasters in history. According to Peranteau et al. (2010):

Immediately after the earthquake the need so vastly outstripped the resources that patients generally lacked basic identifiers and medical records […] Treatment plans were reduced to word of mouth. At first we used scraps of paper or cardboard taped to the patient … (p. 127)

Nearly a quarter of a million people were killed with another quarter of a million injured, and millions of people were displaced from their homes (World Health Organization, 2010). In the ensuing months, a cholera epidemic ravaged the already traumatized country. The destruction of infrastructure, contamination of water supply, and increased human vulnerability from displacement create favorable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases following natural disasters. Respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases are also commonly found encountered after floods, tsunamis, and other types of meteorological and geophysical disasters.

In the aftermath of such tragedies, priority is placed on implementing control measures to re-establish basic healthcare and prevent epidemics. Nurses often play important leadership roles in both domestic and international disaster response. For this Discussion, you consider disasters from an epidemiologic perspective and how nurses can address health outcomes following them.

_{References:
Peranteau, W. H., Havens, J. M., Harrington, S., & Gates, J. D. (2010). Re-establishing surgical care at Port-au-Prince General Hospital, Haiti. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 211(1), 126–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2010.04.015}

_{World Health Organization. (2010, September). Letter from the editor. Focus: Emergency and Humanitarian Action, 5. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/205106/B4566.pdf;jsessionid=3C735D0DC06BD1C7497635EDF5928C93?sequence=1}

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

Required Readings

• Curley, A. L. C. (Ed.). (2024). Population-based nursing: Concepts and competencies for advanced practice(4th ed.). Springer.

• Chapter 12, “Implications of Global Health in Population-Based Nursing” (pp. 303-335)
  • Maness, L. R. (2019). The effect of hurricanes on pathogenic diseases. Journal of Environmental Health, 81(6), 16–20.
    

    Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

    Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Your Infectious Disease and Natural Disaster Discussion Post

    Step 1: Review the Assigned Materials

    • Read carefully:

      • Chapter 12 in Population-Based Nursing – Focus on global health implications.

      • Maness (2019) – Understand the link between hurricanes and disease outbreaks.

      • Peranteau et al. (2010) & WHO (2010) – Take note of specific outcomes and challenges from the Haiti earthquake.

    • Jot down key ideas: How do disasters affect healthcare access, sanitation, and disease risk?

    Step 2: Understand the Epidemiologic Link

    • Begin your post by defining the relationship between natural disasters and infectious disease spread.

    • Use the Haiti earthquake as your primary example. Highlight:

      • Destruction of infrastructure

      • Lack of clean water

      • Overcrowding in shelters

      • Disruption of medical services

    Step 3: Describe Common Infectious Diseases Post-Disaster

    • Discuss the types of diseases most frequently seen (e.g., cholera, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases).

    • Reference the sources provided and explain why these diseases spread rapidly in disaster zones.

    Step 4: Role of Nurses in Disaster Response

    • Highlight nurses’ contributions:

      • Providing direct care

      • Organizing and leading triage efforts

      • Promoting hygiene and sanitation

      • Educating displaced populations on disease prevention

      • Coordinating with global aid organizations

    • Discuss domestic and international roles, especially in resource-limited settings.

    Step 5: Include Evidence

    • Use at least two scholarly references from your resources to support your discussion (e.g., Peranteau et al., WHO, Maness).

    • Cite them in APA 7th edition style in-text and in a reference list.

    Step 6: Wrap It Up

    • Conclude your post by summarizing:

      • Why quick, organized public health response is critical after disasters

      • The importance of nurses in minimizing morbidity and mortality

    Step 7: Final Review

    • Ensure your post is clear, concise, and well-structured

    • Proofread for grammar and APA formatting

    • Meet the word count expected for your discussion forum (usually ~250–350 words unless specified)

    This guide ensures you connect theory with real-world events and highlight the value of nursing leadership in global health crises.

    Would you like help crafting your response or finding APA-style citations?

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