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

Author

Listed:
  • Motohiro Tsuboi

    (Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
    Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Saitama Hospital, 1-5 Shintoshin, Chuoh-ku, Saitama-City 330-8553, Japan)

  • Manabu Hibiya

    (Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
    Department of Teikyo Academic Research Center, 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
    Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Kaichi International University, 1225-6 Kashiwa, Kashiwa-City 277-0005, Japan)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Motohiro Tsuboi & Manabu Hibiya & Rumiko Tsuboi & Shigemasa Taguchi & Koichi Yasaka & Kazuya Kiyota & Kayako Sakisaka, 2022. "Analysis of Disaster-Related Deaths in the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Data from Ishinomaki City, Miyagi, Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4087-:d:782951
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Max Wyss, 2017. "Report estimated quake death tolls to save lives," Nature, Nature, vol. 545(7653), pages 151-153, May.
    2. Samantha L. Waddell & Dushyantha T. Jayaweera & Mehdi Mirsaeidi & John C. Beier & Naresh Kumar, 2021. "Perspectives on the Health Effects of Hurricanes: A Review and Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiang Zheng & Chuyao Feng & Mikio Ishiwatari, 2022. "Examining the Indirect Death Surveillance System of The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Mavhura, Emmanuel & Raj Aryal, Komal, 2023. "Disaster mortalities and the Sendai Framework Target A: Insights from Zimbabwe," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

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