The Intersection of Health and Disasters

Regular Session:

The intersection of disasters and health, although previously part of disaster social science scholarship, was brought to new light over the course of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Disasters can compound existing challenges for those with preexisting health conditions, and it can undermine otherwise sufficient coping strategies, bringing about new vulnerabilities in the disaster period and its aftermath. The intersection of health and disaster can also pose unique challenges for those who care for or support others, be it in a professional capacity or through family and other interpersonal networks. At times, the sources of the vulnerability may be closely tied to specific health conditions, but often it is also deeply rooted in health institutions, stigma, and the extent to which health is a priority in a community during routine periods. The session includes papers that closely examine the intersection of health and disaster and those that offer unique perspectives or theoretical advances, whether it relates to the recent pandemic or to disasters induced by other hazards.