The co-occurring flood and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) increase the consequences for health and life. This study examined the strategies to manage the health consequences of the co-occurring flood and COVID-19, with a specific focus on these 2 challenges.

This review included all the studies published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1980 and June 2021. Several electronic databases were searched, including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tools (MMT), version 2018, assessed the articles retrieved through a comprehensive and systematic literature search. Descriptive and thematic analyses were carried out to derive strategies for managing the health consequences of the simultaneous flood and COVID-19.

Among 4271 identified articles, 10 were eligible for inclusion. In total, 199 strategies were identified in this review for managing the multi-hazard health consequences of flooding and COVID-19, which were classified into 9 categories and 25 subcategories. The categories included policy making and decision making, coordination, risk communication, logistics, planning, preparedness measures, response measures, social and humanitarian support, and actions of local communities and non-governmental organizations.

Managing a multi-hazard and reducing its health consequences requires various actions. Flood management must be needed, and flood-affected people and their health should be protected.

This study is the first to examine the effect of bereavement of a first-degree family member on subsequent morbidity over a 10-year follow-up period.

A sample of bereaved subjects (n = 72) were compared with a control group (n = 80) recruited in the same period with respect to morbidity experience during follow-up. Morbidity events were ascertained from the subject themselves, their health care providers and these sources were also compared.

Bereavement was associated with an elevated total burden of illness as well as with mental health and circulatory system categories diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases - Clinically Modified (ICD-9) classification system. The elevation ranged from approximately 20% for any illness to 60–100% among circulatory system disorders. Although in an earlier study there was a downregulation of T-cell function in the bereaved during the first 8 weeks, there was no evidence that the bereavement was associated with increased morbidity in the respiratory or immune system ICD-9 categories long-term.

Past epidemiological research has indicated that bereavement of a close family member is associated with adverse health consequences of a generalised morbidity. Our study suggests an increase in mental health and circulatory system effects in particular. Further research is required to determine whether other systems are also affected by bereavement.

Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability or access to nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate and safe foods. Food insecurity may result in inadequate dietary intakes, overweight or obesity and the development of chronic disease. Internationally, few studies have focused on the range of potential health outcomes related to food insecurity among adults residing in disadvantaged locations and no such Australian studies exist. The objective of the present study was to investigate associations between food insecurity, sociodemographic and health factors and dietary intakes among adults residing in disadvantaged urban areas.

Data were collected by mail survey (n 505, 53 % response rate), which ascertained information about food security status, demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, household income, education) fruit and vegetable intakes, takeaway and meat consumption, general health, depression and chronic disease.

Disadvantaged suburbs of Brisbane city, Australia, 2009.

Individuals aged ≥ 20 years.

Approximately one in four households (25 %) was food insecure. Food insecurity was associated with lower household income, poorer general health, increased health-care utilisation and depression. These associations remained after adjustment for age, gender and household income.

Food insecurity is prevalent in urbanised disadvantaged areas in developed countries such as Australia. Low-income households are at high risk of experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity may result in significant health burdens among the population, and this may be concentrated in socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs.

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.

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.

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.

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.