It is time to put hurricane preparedness on the radar for individuals living with spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2020 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-020-0282-9 · Published: April 15, 2020

Simple Explanation

Climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous, especially for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). These individuals face unique challenges during and after storms, such as power outages affecting essential equipment, transportation difficulties, and disrupted care. Healthcare professionals who care for SCI patients should proactively engage in personal, client, and community hurricane preparedness. This includes having their own emergency plans, educating patients on disaster readiness, and collaborating with community leaders to ensure the needs of SCI individuals are met during emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer of complexity to hurricane preparedness. The focus on the pandemic may reduce attention to hurricane readiness, and social distancing measures could further limit evacuation options for SCI patients.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Individuals living with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Perspective

Key Findings

1
Hurricanes are becoming more dangerous due to climate change, with stronger winds, increased precipitation, and slower movement.
2
Individuals with SCI face unique challenges during and after hurricanes, including power outages affecting essential equipment, transportation difficulties, and disrupted care.
3
Healthcare professionals must proactively prepare SCI patients for hurricanes, including developing personal support networks, comprehensive evacuation strategies, and stockpiling essential supplies.

Research Summary

The commentary highlights the increased risks faced by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during increasingly destructive hurricanes due to climate change. It emphasizes the urgent need for improved storm readiness among at-risk individuals before the hurricane season. The authors review evidence showing tropical cyclones are becoming more destructive and consider how this magnifies the difficulties individuals with SCI experience before, during, and after a hurricane. They focus on how health professionals can help prepare individuals with SCI for hurricanes and enhance their own readiness to provide care during and after a storm. The commentary also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hurricane preparedness for individuals with SCI, noting that the pandemic may diminish attention to storm preparedness and further limit evacuation options. It concludes by urging individuals with SCI to immediately commence preparedness activities and calls on healthcare professionals to enhance readiness among people with SCI.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Patient Education

Healthcare providers should educate SCI patients about hurricane risks and preparedness strategies.

Community Collaboration

SCI physicians should share expertise with public health and emergency management partners.

Healthcare Provider Preparedness

Healthcare professionals should develop personal emergency plans and ensure seamless clinical coverage.

Study Limitations

1
The perspective is limited by its focus on the Atlantic hurricane season and may not be directly applicable to other regions or types of disasters.
2
The commentary relies on existing literature and expert opinion, lacking original empirical data on the effectiveness of specific preparedness interventions for individuals with SCI.
3
The COVID-19 considerations are based on early pandemic conditions and may need updating as the pandemic evolves.

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