Earthquake and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. Why we should care

Shortly after the scope of this disaster became clear, it occurred to me, and likely many others in the injury control field, that most of the deaths from this still unfolding mega-disaster, two weeks now after the earthquake, are from injuries (including drowning). Yet it seems the media coverage focuses more on body counts and infectious disease potential, and not as much on survivor counts, serious injury impact, possibilities of future injuries, or the needs of the acute care and longer term rehabilitation responses.

Watching scenes of barefoot survivors stepping through wreckage, unprotected rescue workers, and demolished infrastructures makes us wonder who is thinking about addressing additional falls, crushes, lacerations, burns, and long term care, injuries from transport vehicles, community violence (looting and crowds), criminal violence, stress induced family violence, post traumatic stress disorder, suicides, after shocks, and wildlife dangers, and what they are thinking about. Of course in the worst hit areas, with infrastructure gone, people need emergency care, clean water, safe shelter, and food for survival; of that there is no doubt. But new injuries will undoubtedly take an additional toll and many injured victims will not get the short and long term care they need.

Many questions arise. Perhaps the most important …