Management of diabetes during natural emergencies

Abstract

Disaster preparedness is an important but often a neglected part in the management of chronic disorders. India is facing an epidemic of diabetes and the patients with diabetes are also exposed to the risk of natural disaster along with other members of the society. India faced many disasters in the past including the Bhopal gas leak, Gujarat earthquake and Andaman tsunami. These disasters exposed the lacunae in the disaster preparedness and lead to devastating health consequences. Previous research focused more on the immediate, traumatic aspects of the disasters and neglected the impact on chronic disorders. The experience of managing diabetes after Hurricane Katrina gave important insights into the short and long term consequences of a disaster. Our article provides information about the impact of disasters on diabetes, difficulties in the management and suggested measures at various levels to improve the disaster preparedness.

Disaster preparedness - natural emergencies - type 2 diabetes

• References

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