International collaboration aiming at “living healthy” in earthquake disasters

Project Gist

Aiming for a healthy life in the earthquake disasters

Keywords

Seismology, public health risk, earthquake disaster related deaths, social implementation

Background and Purpose

When a major earthquake strikes, many people lose their homes and live as evacuees. Even if they survive from the earthquake, they feel the severe stress and encounter unhealthy living conditions. In Japan, “earthquake-related deaths” have been paid attention, however, in Mexico, research on this topic has not yet been conducted to determine what health risks occur after earthquakes and how many earthquake-related deaths actually occur. The objective of this project is to create a project proposal that contributes to understanding and reducing health risks after disasters by integrating seismology, data science, public health, psychology, and other disciplines.

Project Achievements

The international and interdisciplinary research team including Mexican government and local government officials was formed. Symposiums were also held in collaboration with researchers and the Mexican government to deepen understanding of earthquake disaster and public health issues in Mexico. In the process, the team agreed that the Pacific coast of Mexico has many industrial zones and tourist destinations, thus in addition to health issues in earthquake and tsunami disasters, compound disaster risks such as chemical accidents and tsunami fires caused by earthquakes and tsunamis should be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Currently, the more specific project proposal is under panning.

Future Prospects

The project proposal will look at the compound disaster risks including chemical accidents and tsunami fires in addition to health issues during earthquake and tsunami disasters. Although the proposed project will target Mexico, the idea and the results of the project will give effective feedback to risk assessment method in Japan.

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Principal Investigator