Cause-Specific Mortality and Natural Disasters — The Urgent Need for Change

The global threat from natural hazard disasters is accelerating, driven by the earth’s deteriorating natural ecosystems, damaged physical environment, rapid urbanisation and population growth. Internationally agreed targets within the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) aim to halt the escalating risk and reduce disaster-related deaths and global impact. Achieving SFDRR targets requires a robust estimation of global disaster-mortality and targeted health interventions so that people at risk are protected and their deaths are prevented. This study examined whether the information published in medical and scientific literature on cause-specific mortality was reflected in global data collection and reporting.