Natural disasters and diabetes: preventing the consequences

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change represents a threat to public health and people with diabetes are more vulnerable to suffer the impacts of extreme events and the only way to reduce their consequences is to prepare for possible situations.

Objective: To describe preventive actions in favor of people with diabetes mellitus in the phases before, during and after the occurrence of disasters.

Methods: It was performed a literature search in databases such as Scopus, MEDLINE PubMed, Google Scholar, Redalyc, ScienceDirect, SciELO, Dialnet and Web of Science. Specific descriptors and Boolean operators were used. 42 bibliographic materials from 1997 to 2021 were referenced.

Conclusions: The most effective way to reduce the impact of disasters, both materially and in the health of the population, is to be properly prepared to deal with them. Educating governmental and non-governmental organizations, the population and in particular people with diabetes mellitus is indispensable. Stress affects people with diabetes mellitus directly in metabolic control, which triggers slight / moderate decompensation. Proper education and action by governmental and non-governmental organizations, the population and in particular people with diabetes about the actions to be taken before, during and after natural disaster events such as hurricanes, landslides, floods among others, prevents and reduces the negative impact on the economy and the health of the population.