World Trauma

Trauma is a worldwide phenomenon that affects every nation, community, family and individual directly or indirectly. Trauma results from exposure to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and floods, through human made disasters such as war, motor vehicle or industrial accidents, terrorism and bioterrorism, and large-scale epidemics that affect or threaten public health and public health systems. In 2005, an estimated 162 million people worldwide were impacted by disasters causing over 105 thousand deaths and $176 million in damages. Terrorism has gained prominence in disaster mental health planning for individuals, communities and nations as a result of the World Trade Center and anthrax attacks in the United States in 2001, the 2004 train bombings in Madrid, the London tube attacks of 2005 and the ongoing terrorist attacks in the Middle East. There are at least 23 ongoing wars producing mass casualties, famine and community devastation.

Over time, the resilience of individuals and communities is the expected response to a disaster, but for some the effects can be severe and lasting. Experiencing an altered sense of safety, increased fear and arousal, and concern for the future, affects not only those who may develop mental health problems but also those who continue to work and care for their families and loved ones. Access to media technology creates real time and repeated exposure to disasters that reverberates around the world heightening traumatic experiences and stress. Fostering resilience, decreasing and treating distress and mental health consequences and responding to health risk behaviors requires informed planning, interventions and a focus on mitigation of disaster effects and recovery.