What does the evidence show about the consequences of disasters on diabetes and other chronic conditions? What does this mean for preparedness?

What does the evidence show about the consequences of disasters on diabetes and other chronic conditions? What does this mean for preparedness?

What does the evidence show about the consequences of disasters on diabetes and other chronic conditions? What does this mean for preparedness? (#60)

Penny Burns ¹

University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia

Disasters are extraordinary events that threaten lives and damage infrastructure, exceeding the local community’s ability to recover without outside assistance. Natural disasters, including bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones are occurring annually in Australia.

Disasters result in acute and chronic health effects, particularly in those with pre-existing medical conditions. Patient with diabetes mellitus are especially vulnerable; not only do they require frequent glycaemic control monitoring and screening for complications, but also commonly have associated comorbidities. The research shows that elevations in HbA_1C % levels and insulin requirements may occur post disaster. One of the findings after the 1994 Los Angeles earthquake was an increased incidence of newly diagnosed insulin dependent diabetes mellitus admitted to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. Furthermore, glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus can be adversely affected by disasters even many years after the event.

Changes in environment with limited or increased consumption of food, changes in exercise routine, and variable access to medication, refrigeration and monitoring equipment can all contribute to poor diabetic control. Co-morbidities including mental health effects may also affect care. Planning for disaster followed by early medical review with regular check-ups would be expected to improve outcomes after such events.

Authors contributing to this presentation.

Burns, P

Dr Penelope Burns is a General Practitioner and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of General Practice at the University of Western Sydney. She is a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University, looking at the ways in which General Practitioners contribute to patient and community recovery in disasters. Reflecting her interests, Dr Burns has appointments as: the NSW & ACT Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Disaster Response Representative; RACGP representative on the National General Practice Round Table; the Deputy Chair of the Disaster Management Special Interest Group of the RACGP; the GP member of the NSW Mental Health Disaster Advisory Committee; RACGP representative on the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine Disaster Subcommittee. She is a committee member of the Oceania Chapter of the World Association for Disaster & Emergency Medicine (WADEM), and on the steering committee of the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Loss and Grief Network at the Australian National University. She is an instructor with the NSW Faculty in Major Incident Medical Management Support training for Medical Command, and in EMERGO Train System of disaster exercises. She is involved in teaching and researching disasters including animal management in disasters and human behaviour in road tunnel emergency evacuations.

What does the evidence show about the consequences of disasters on diabetes and other chronic conditions? What does this mean for preparedness? (#60)

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