(C26) Health Consequences of Flooding in China and Australia

Abstract

Background:

Floods are the most common type of disasters and cause more deaths and damage than other types of disasters. The health consequences of floods vary according to the nature of the flood, geographical and demographic characteristics, and policy arrangements for preparation and consequence management.

Methods:

This study involves a comparative analysis of the response to selected floods in China and Australia as an example of diverse geographical, demographic, and policy environments. The study involved an examination of news and government reports, interviews with key players, site visits, and an analysis of the policy and governance arrangements. A framework for the health consequences of floods was developed and utilized to compare the consequences in each location.

Results:

The health consequences varied considerably with the nature of the flood and the geographical and demographic environment. Flash flooding caused more immediate injuries and deaths, and less effective immediate management because of its rapid and unpredictable onset.

The variation in resources and preparation between the two countries resulted in a demonstrable difference in health consequence management. The long-term outcomes including mental health problems were difficult to identify.

Conclusions:

Effective flood management was shown to reduce the health consequences of floods. These consequences may be immediate, medium-, or long-term, and effective management strategies must address each of these elements.

Australia's highly sophisticated disaster management system minimized the health consequences of floods. Despite its considerable population and other challenges, China has a demonstrated capacity to reduce health impact through improved policy frameworks and resource management.