301010
Global approach for comparing the mortality rate from natural disasters and its relationship to the income level and development indices of the countries
Disasters are a consequence of hazards occurring in unsafe and vulnerable settings. The risk for disasters increases with increased vulnerabilities; it has been long known that underlying social condition such as poverty can lead to increased vulnerability. In this study we explored whether or not the distribution of wealth and development indices can also affect vulnerability towards disasters.
Methods:
In this study we compared mortality rate per disaster event in different countries around the world with data on income level, Gini index, HDI and GDP per capita of those countries. The data was extracted from accredited sources and the comparisons were made using multiple regression analysis by entering the data into a SPSS database.
Results:
One-way ANOVA analysis with Bonferroni correction showed that there is a significant difference between the middle-income and low-income countries (p value = .027). Multiple regression analysis showed that Gini index and GDP per capita have significant positive correlation (p values = 0.000) with the mortality rate while HDI has a significant negative correlation (p value = 0.019).
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that a correlation between wealth distribution, social and human development indices and disaster mortality per event exists. While we cannot prove causality we speculate that inequalities lead to a state of increased vulnerability through effects such as rapid urbanization, lack of awareness and etc. Further studies which analyze more complete sets of socioeconomic and developmental indices are needed in order to better understand the relationship between inequity and underdevelopment with society’s vulnerability
Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadershipProvision of health care to the public
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Analyze if the unequal distribution of the wealth and development indices can affect vulnerability toward disasters.
Compare the mortality rate from natural disatsers among the countries with various income levels.
Compare the mortality rate from natural disasters among the countries with different GINI,HDI and GDP per capita.
Identify which one of the internationally known development indices could affect the vulnerabilities and mortality rate from natural disasters more than other indices.
Keyword(s): Mortality, Disasters
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Considering my 13 years background working as consultant and principle investigator of different national and international research projects on disaster management, preparedness and risk assessment for agencies like the WHO, World Bank, United Nations and the Iranian ministry of Health and medical education and also considering my academic degree in Medicine and disaster management, I believe I have a solid experience and background to present my research results in APHA annual conference 2014.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.