Medical follow-up requirements during two water-related disasters in Japan

Bibliographic Data

ID22025312
AuthorsTakahito Yoshida (Hiroshima University), Wakana Okamoto (Hiroshima University), Odgerel Chimed‐Ochir (0000-0003-0159-3701, Hiroshima University, corresponding author), Emma M Rath (0000-0002-8430-5236, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute), Yui Yumiya (0000-0003-3198-835X, Hiroshima University), Ami Fukunaga (0000-0002-8705-0056, Hiroshima University), Akihiro Taji (Hiroshima University), Kouki Akahoshi (0000-0002-3087-9664, National Hospital Organization), Yoshiki Toyokuni (0000-0002-4312-3209, National Hospital Organization), Kayako Chishima (National Hospital Organization), Seiji Mimura (National Hospital Organization), Akinori Wakai (Osaka National Hospital), Hisayoshi Kondo (0000-0002-1246-3796, National Hospital Organization), Yuichi Koido (National Hospital Organization), Tatsuhiko Kubo (0000-0001-8822-9181, Hiroshima University)
Year2025
Volume118
Pages105220
Publication date2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2212-4209
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105220
OpenAlexW4406642367
LanguageEN
References cited16

This study aimed to analyze the medical follow-up requirements during the response to Typhoon 19 in 2019 and the Kumamoto heavy rain in 2020 in Japan, focusing on trends, and demographic and health-related predictors necessitating follow-up. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data collected by Japanese Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) through the "Japan-Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters" (J-SPEED) tool. A total of 1511 consultations during the two disasters were analyzed. Trends in follow-up requirements were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis, and factors influencing follow-up requirement were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Of all consultations, 16.0 % during Typhoon 19 and 21.6 % during the Kumamoto heavy rain required follow-up, with proportions increasing by response phases. Patients aged over 65 accounted for most cases requiring follow-up (74.1 % and 65.7 %, respectively). Hypertension, disaster stress-related symptoms, and minor injuries were significant predictors of follow-up requirements. Patients with treatment interruptions were significantly less likely to require follow-up (OR = 0.27, 95 % CI = 0.15–0.50). Younger individuals (15–64) were more likely to require follow-up for stress-related symptoms (OR = 2.46, 95 % CI = 1.18–5.15), while older adults (65+) required follow-up for hypertension (OR = 1.64, 95 % CI = 1.07–2.50) and minor injuries (OR = 2.28, 95 % CI = 1.35–3.85). The increasing trend in follow-up requirements highlights EMTs' role in ensuring continuity of care. Collaboration between EMTs and mental health teams is crucial to address mental health needs. EMTs’ ability to provide medications mitigates treatment interruptions, emphasizing strategies to enhance disaster response and patient care during emergencies

Business · Environmental planning · Forensic engineering · Medical emergency · Disaster Management and Resilience · Disaster Response and Management · Engineering · Environmental Science · Medicine

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