Natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and fires pose significant risks to children’s health and safety. In addition to immediate threats from the disaster itself, children face increased risk of injury and death from secondary hazards in the post-disaster environment. These risks disproportionately affect marginalized and low-income communities, where structural inequities reduce access to resources and safe environments. The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention has identified an increase in injury-related deaths secondary to local disasters in the National Fatality Review – Case Reporting System. Patterns in deaths secondary to traffic-related injuries, unsafe infant sleep, drowning, and suicide were each noted. However, population-level data to describe the extent of this problem is lacking.

Disasters increase risks related to road traffic through damaged infrastructure, power outages that disable signals, and increased pedestrian exposure. Safe sleep practices are disrupted when families are displaced into shelters or temporary housing after disasters. Flooding and storm damage create new drowning risks for children, including damage to pool fences and gates, standing water, flooded basements, and debris-filled rivers. In addition, disasters expose children to trauma through life-threatening events, loss, and displacement. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in disaster-affected children range from 5% to 43%. PTSD is frequently accompanied by depression and anxiety, risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior.

Given the increasing frequency with which the disasters are being experienced globally, this is a timely and important topic with many gaps that need to be addressed. In this workshop, participants with work together with experts on injury prevention, disaster, and emergency management to discuss the existing data, gaps in data, and opportunities for improved surveillance, education, and advocacy.

1. Describe the burden of weather-related disasters in the US
2. Understand the short- and long-term effects of these disasters on preventable injuries in children
3. Identify gaps in data, education, and advocacy to address these issues