Emily Ying Yang Chan

2nd Edition of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM) Emily Ying Yang Chan

Disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, heat waves, nuclear accidents, and

large-scale pollution incidents take lives and incur major health problems. The majority

of large-scale disasters affect the most vulnerable populations, which often comprise

extreme ages, remote living areas, and endemic poverty, as well as people with low

literacy. Health emergency and disaster risk management (Health-EDRM) refers to the

systematic analysis and management of health risks surrounding emergencies and

disasters, and plays an important role in reducing the hazards and vulnerability along

with extending preparedness, responses, and recovery measures. This concept

encompasses risk analyses and interventions, such as accessible early warning systems,

the timely deployment of relief workers, and the provision of suitable drugs and medical

equipment to decrease the impact of disasters on people before, during, and after an

event (or events). Currently, there is a major gap in the scientific literature regarding

Health-EDRM to facilitate major global policies and initiatives for disaster risk reduction

worldwide.