The health impacts of windstorms
Citation: Goldman A, Eggen B, Golding B, et al. The health impacts of windstorms: a systematic literature review. Public Health. 2014:128(1);3-28.
Windstorms can have a profound effect on human health with direct effects causing death and injury. Indirect effects can include falls, lacerations, puncture wounds. Power outages, fires, burns, carbon monoxide, poisoning and worsening of chronic illnesses are all health impacts associated with windstorms.
A total of 61 papers were included in this systematic review, which focused on identifying the impacts of windstorms on human health. Effects can be divided into direct and indirect impacts, which occur during the pre-impact, impact, and post-impact phases of windstorms. Further research is required to understand local patterns and impacts of windstorms. There is a need for any active surveillance system and improvements to reporting to monitor the health impacts of windstorms.
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