Analysis of Disaster-Related Deaths in the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Data from Ishinomaki City, Miyagi, Japan

Motohiro Tsuboi, Manabu Hibiya, Rumiko Tsuboi, Shigemasa Taguchi, Koichi Yasaka, Kazuya Kiyota and Kayako Sakisaka
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Motohiro Tsuboi: Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
Manabu Hibiya: Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
Rumiko Tsuboi: Department of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 1-847 Amanumacho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-City 330-0834, Japan
Shigemasa Taguchi: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Saitama Hospital, 1-5 Shintoshin, Chuoh-ku, Saitama-City 330-8553, Japan
Koichi Yasaka: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Saitama Hospital, 1-5 Shintoshin, Chuoh-ku, Saitama-City 330-8553, Japan
Kazuya Kiyota: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Saitama Hospital, 1-5 Shintoshin, Chuoh-ku, Saitama-City 330-8553, Japan
Kayako Sakisaka: Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-10

Abstract: Disaster-related deaths are of two types: direct and indirect. Preventable disaster-related deaths reported in the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) included a large number of indirect deaths. This study aimed to investigate the data on disaster-related deaths in the GEJE in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, and to clarify the scope of disaster-related deaths to help future disaster preparedness. A retrospective observational study was conducted using public data on disaster-related deaths from March 2011 to January 2021, available at Ishinomaki City Hall. Descriptive and Cox regression analyses were conducted. The most common direct cause of disaster-related deaths was respiratory diseases, which were more common among those aged less than three months and over 60 years. Suicide was common among those aged under 60 years, and the proportion increased more than six months after the disaster. The risk of death was significantly higher among those who needed nursing care than among those independent in daily living. The results indicate that measures should be taken for the elderly and those who need care from an early phase after the disaster. The analysis of data on disaster-related deaths in other affected municipalities may provide further evidence to help reduce disaster-related deaths.

Keywords: disaster; disaster-related health; nursing care; indirect health effect; Great East Japan Earthquake (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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