Extreme weather events such as cyclones, hurricanes and tropical storms have a devastating impact on society. The recent cyclone season has been associated with more powerful and persistent cyclones that have caused enormous damage. Rapid rise in global temperatures could lead to more intense cyclones, causing more damage in the future.
Epidemiological studies have compared health outcomes from high- and low-level exploration, assessing the extent and pattern of hurricane health effects. These studies suggest that cyclones are associated with many health outcomes, including mortality, infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, adverse birth outcomes, and mental disorders. In addition to direct impacts such as drowning injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning, hurricanes also have indirect effects from disruption of health care and flood pollution.
There are no systematic reviews of meta-analyses of cyclone health outcomes. From inception through December 21, 2022, the study limited hurricane effects to human health outcomes, considering all population-based studies associated with the short- and long-term effects of any landfall cyclone, including tropical storms, hurricanes, and typhoons.
The current systematic review and meta-analysis considered all relevant articles, regardless of gender, religion or age, and conducted in eight different countries around the world. Most studies suggest that exposure to hurricanes increases the risk of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and mental health-related morbidity, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The current meta-analysis established modest to strong associations between cyclone exposure and hospitalization, all-cause mortality from hospitalization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory disease of all causes. However, no association was found between cyclone exposure and mortality from heart disease, preterm birth, and diabetes.
Especially due to the formation of mold in water-damaged buildings and air pollutants during the process of cleaning up debris, it also increases the risk of respiratory diseases.