Few reports detail the operation of Japan's unique disaster countermeasures, mobile pharmacy vehicles (MPVs). This case report draws on the authors' direct operational experience and anonymized, retrospective open-access data to describe the current system and actual operations of MPVs and examine the feasibility of their international implementation. During the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024, 13 MPVs were deployed to the affected areas following dispatch requests, and 1,834 disaster prescriptions were issued. In accordance with the local medical care delivery system, the deployment of MPVs was coordinated by the disaster pharmacy coordinator, contributing to the rapid and flexible provision of medical services. These results demonstrate the potential international applicability of the MPV system. Further development of information management and operational systems, along with their adaptation for other uses, may enhance the utility of the MPV model as a component of disaster medical support in other countries.

While emergency preparedness preparations are typically focused on the most commonly occurring events such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and small-scale human-made disasters, concern for disasters involving mass gatherings is growing, particularly with previously less common nuclear, radiological, and explosive incidents. An example is provided of potentially useful preparedness for these events with the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026TM, expected to be one of the largest sporting events in USA history. Trainings and protocols are reviewed, with a specific suggestion of a scorecard for prioritizing preparedness. Particular focus is also given to integrated surge pathways in this response. By combining evidence-based risk communication, burn surge planning, and the scorecard approach to prioritize and coordinate actions across host cities, organizers can reduce preventable morbidity and mortality.

The response to disasters or mass casualty incidents requires a multi-hazard approach and a rapid, comprehensive response. Community Emergency Response Teams have been formed around the world, where civilians, often laypersons, are integrated into local disaster response. Professionals have been organized into Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, where they are deployed to respond to a distant site. During the October 7, 2023, large-scale attacks in southern Israel, the country found itself in a new and unfamiliar reality. Initiatives began to prepare the population for possible future MCIs. The objective of this article is to describe initiatives that have developed throughout Israel to train medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and paramedical personnel in local disaster response. These became known as Professional Community Emergency Response Teams. This includes those trained through Magen David Adom, Israel's National Emergency Medical Service, and those through a Frontline Emergency Medicine model.

This research aims to determine the genital hygiene behaviors and risk factors of women of reproductive age after the earthquake. The descriptive and relationship-seeking research was conducted with 296 women reached online in the Malatya province, where the earthquake in Turkey caused heavy damage. Research data was collected using an online survey form created via Google Forms. Data were obtained using the Personal Information Form and Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale. In the study, genital hygiene behaviors of women with low education level (p = .004), not working (p = .003), sharing underwear (p = .002), having vaginal itching (p = .006), bathing frequency once a week or less (p = .001), bathing while sitting on a stool (p = .001) and having no knowledge about genital infection (p = .001) were found to be inadequate. In the study, it was determined that the genital hygiene behaviors of women of reproductive age were negative after the earthquake. It is recommended that health professionals should not ignore the adverse effects that may occur on women's genital hygiene behaviors after disasters such as earthquakes and take the necessary initiatives.

To report on a volunteer-led program supporting local healthcare providers (L-HCPs) and disaster responders after the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, focusing on its implementation and immediate outcomes. A volunteer-led initiative established by university alumni deployed medical teams to a local hospital on weekends following the earthquake, providing onsite support to relieve L-HCPs from prolonged strain. The program integrated information and communication technology (ICT) platforms to enable remote support, communication, and structured debriefing sessions for volunteers, facilitating assistance from a wider network. The project effectively sustained the local health care institution's capacity by managing diverse patient needs, including a surge in internal medical conditions. It provided essential respite, allowing local physicians crucial personal time, for which they expressed profound gratitude. Volunteer doctors reported effective stress management through the onsite and ICT-based support structure, and the initiative concluded safely without injury. The project demonstrated that combining onsite medical assistance with strategically implemented ICT effectively mitigates burnout among L-HCPs, providing essential psychological support for deployed volunteers. The findings highlight the significance of sustained recovery-phase support, professional networks, and ICT in disaster response. These experiences highlight the need for comprehensive, system-wide support strategies for all frontline personnel in future disasters.

Cyclone Alfred disrupted dialysis services across South-East Queensland. Digital tools, including real-time surveys and AI-assisted analysis, were used to evaluate impact and guide immediate improvements. This low-cost, tech-enabled response demonstrated how agile methods can support disaster resilience and inform planning for vulnerable patient groups during extreme weather events.

This study explores the relationship between sustainable earthquake awareness and earthquake stress coping strategies among university students following the February 6, 2023, earthquake. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2024, involving 239 university students. Following the STROBE checklist, data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Earthquake Stress Coping Scale (ESCS), and Sustainable Earthquake Awareness Scale (SEAS). Ethics approval was obtained, and data were gathered through face-to-face surveys. The average participant age was 21 years; 67.8% were women, and 20% had direct earthquake experience. Among participants, 67.4% reported negative academic impacts due to the earthquake. Higher SEAS scores were associated with higher income, prior earthquake experiences, having an emergency kit, securing belongings, and participation in earthquake training and drills. Higher ESCS social support-seeking scores correlated with higher income, earthquake preparedness training, drill participation, awareness of emergency meeting areas, and enrollment in the child development department. The findings highlight gaps in earthquake preparedness among university students while emphasizing the role of personal earthquake experiences in fostering awareness and adaptive coping strategies. Enhancing earthquake preparedness training could improve resilience among students in earthquake-prone regions.

This study examined the behavioral characteristics of psychiatric inpatients following disasters. Data were collected from 2 psychiatric hospitals in Japan, 1 affected by the Northern Osaka Earthquake (magnitude 6.1, seismic intensity 6) on June 18, 2018, and the other impacted by torrential rainstorms (total rainfall reaching 1800 mm; 224 fatalities, 8 missing) between June 28 and July 8, 2018. Focus group interviews were conducted with 24 nursing staff members from each hospital, divided into 8 groups. A total of 158 inpatient behaviors were identified and organized into 19 themes. To delineate behavioral patterns, these behaviors were interpreted as adaptive (53.1%), maladaptive (22.2%), or unclassifiable (24.7%). Among maladaptive behaviors requiring prioritized care, 56.8% were associated with psychiatric disorders, while 43.2% reflected general disaster-related reactions. Psychiatric inpatients demonstrated adaptive responses alongside typical disaster-related behaviors, with some behaviors attributable to underlying psychiatric conditions. Post-disaster care for psychiatric inpatients should emphasize strategies that support adaptability and protection. Additionally, targeted care for maladaptive behaviors specific to psychiatric conditions and vigilant observation of patients who do not display overtly agitated behaviors are critical.

Well-established within the field of Emergency Management is the Disaster Cycle: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Less standard, however, is the inclusion of pediatric considerations in efforts within each of these phases, despite the significant population share that children hold and their unique vulnerabilities to disasters. Building upon a tool designed to spur pediatric inclusion in the "Mitigation" phase of the cycle, the Regional Pediatric Hazard Vulnerability Analysis, this paper introduces a novel Pediatric After-Action Report template. This is an all-hazards template that provides emergency managers and other partners within a region a vital resource to ensure that children are effectively considered in post-event review efforts within the "Recovery" phase, whether those reviews are customary or not. The Pediatric After-Action Report presents critical questions related to pediatric needs in previously established categories, promotes the identification of areas for improvement, and facilitates the creation of actionable plans for future preparedness.

To compare and analyze COVID-19 control outcomes, including case severity, vaccination, and excess mortality, across 6 nations (USA, UK, China, Russia, Japan, and South Africa) from January 2020 to December 2022. This study utilized data from the "Our World in Data" dataset to characterize the epidemiological features of COVID-19 across 6 countries. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were employed to examine the associations between Stringency Index (SI), vaccination coverage, and epidemiological outcomes. The USA had the highest median cases per million and the UK the highest deaths per million, while China reported the lowest for both. Hospitalization and ICU rates were highest in the UK and the USA, respectively, and lowest in Japan. Vaccination coverage was highest in China and lowest in South Africa. Excess mortality was highest in Russia and lowest in Japan. Generalized linear models indicated a negative association between the SI and cases in China (β = -40, P = 0.015), which became stronger after adjusting for vaccination (β = -311, P < 0.001), but positive associations were observed in the USA, UK, and South Africa. SI was negatively associated with excess mortality in most countries. Effective pandemic control is highly context-dependent. The relationships among vaccination, variant prevalence, and health care burden were complex, shaped by implementation context, public compliance, and health care capacity.