Impact of Natural Disasters on Health Outcomes and Cancer Among Older Adults.

This article describes the potential consequences of exposure to natural disasters that contribute to cancer and disruption of cancer care treatment systems for older adults. It is argued that exposures to floods and wildfires in particular present an underestimated threat to the onset and/or progression of cancer and cancer care management in older adults. We propose that these impacts should be examined not only from an emergency preparedness perspective during the event but also from a public health focus that prospectively assesses risks for cancer and other health disparities. Recommendations for comprehensive longitudinal risk assessment and emergency preparedness models that address the full impact of natural disasters on the health and well-being of vulnerable, at risk, older adults are offered. PMID: 31100141 [PubMed - in process]
Source: The Gerontologist - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Gerontologist Source Type: research