Perceptions of weather-based pain forecasts and their effect on daily activities.

As studies begin to have more success uncovering the relationships between atmospheric conditions and pain, weather-based pain forecasting becomes more of a reality. In this study, a survey was used to determine if people living with migraines and/or other pain-related conditions are receptive to weather-based pain forecasts. Moreover, we wished to identify whether these forecasts actually impact the decision-making of those who use them. Survey respondents were generally eager to use these novel forecasts. Furthermore, when provided with different scenarios involving weather-based pain forecasts, the respondents' actions were altered. When a hypothetical forecast indicated that the weather was conducive to migraines or other types of pain, many indicated that they would likely take preventative measures (e.g., medication). Additionally, respondents were less likely to continue with a planned activity, regardless of length, as forecast severity increased. The results from this survey highlight the importance of developing and improving weather-based pain forecasting.

Longitudinal disparities in social determinants of health and COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the United States from the three largest waves of the pandemic.

The United States experienced at least five COVID-19 waves linked with different mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants including Alpha, Delta and Omicron. In addition to the variants, the intensity, geographical distribution, and risk factors related to those waves also vary within socio-demographic characteristics and timeframes. In this project, we have examined the spatial and temporal pattern of COVID-19 in the USA and its associations with Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) by utilizing the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHRR) dataset. Our epidemiologic investigation at the county level showed that the burden of COVID-19 cases and deaths is higher in counties with high percentages of smoking, number of preventable hospital stays, primary care physician rate, the average daily density of PM2.5 and percentages of high proportions of Hispanic residents. In addition, the analysis also demonstrated that COVID-19 incidence and mortality had distinct characteristics in their association with SDoH variables. For example, the percentages of the population 65 and older had negative associations with incidence while a significant positive association with mortality. In addition to the elderly population, median household income, unemployment, and number of drug overdose deaths showed a mixed association with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Our findings validate several influential factors found in the existing social epidemiology literature and highlight temporal associations between SDoH variables and COVID-19 incidence and mortality not yet frequently studied.

Geographical variability in the relationship between synoptic weather type and emergency department visits for pain across North Carolina.

Bodily pain plagues populations across the globe. Past studies have discovered some links between synoptic weather types and different kinds of pain. These relationships are essential as they can aide in treatment and potentially prevention of pain. In this study, the role of geographical characteristics on the relationships between synoptic weather type and pain were looked at. North Carolina was separated into three geographic sections: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Plateau, and Coastal Plain. Over a 7-year period, synoptic weather types and emergency department (ED) visits for various kinds of pain (migraine, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and general back pain) were collected. Bootstrapped confidence intervals of the mean number of population-adjusted ED visit rates (per 100,000 persons), for the different synoptic weather types, were compared across the different geographic regions. In the plateau region, Moist Tropical and Moist Moderate weather types were often linked to the highest rates of ED visits, while Polar weather types were frequently associated with the fewest visits. The mountainous portion of the state displayed similar patterns between synoptic weather types and the different forms of pain, with migraine and fibromyalgia being the exceptions. Few statistically significant relationships were noted for the coastal region.

Theoretical Matters: On the Need for Hazard and Disaster Theory Developed Through Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration.

Hazard and disaster research requires a willingness to step outside of traditional disciplinary ontological and epistemological assumptions to both accommodate and integrate different perspectives. Moreover, the complex qualities of hazards and disasters necessitate interdisciplinary approaches to inform theory development that encompasses environmental, human, and infrastructure systems at multiple scales and units of analysis. Unfortunately, truly integrative hazard and disaster theory at a scale broad enough to account for the many systems and processes involved is currently limited. In this article, we argue that robust hazard and disaster theory can only arise from interdisciplinary research and collaboration. We examine challenges to the development of interdisciplinary hazard and disaster theory, and discuss the characteristics of theory necessary for the goal-oriented nature of research aimed at reducing disaster impact.

Interdisciplinary Research as an Iterative Process to Build Disaster Systems Knowledge.

Disasters occur at the intersections of social, natural, and built environments, and robust understanding of these interactions can only occur through insight generated from different disciplines. Yet, there are cultural, epistemological, and methodological differences across the many disciplines concerned with hazards and disasters that can make conducting interdisciplinary research difficult. Approaches are needed to overcome these challenges. This article argues that interdisciplinary disaster research can be successful when it entails an iterative process in which researchers from different disciplines work collaboratively and exert reciprocal influence to generate disaster systems knowledge. Disaster systems knowledge is interdisciplinary and is defined as a comprehensive understanding of the intersections of built, natural, and human environmental factors and their interplay in hazards and disasters. The iterative process can reduce disciplinary biases and privileges by encouraging collaboration among researchers to help ensure disciplinary knowledge complements other disciplinary knowledge, to ultimately generate interdisciplinary disaster systems knowledge. The article concludes by illustrating the process by analyzing a research case study of an interdisciplinary approach to volcanic risk reduction.

Relationship between synoptic weather type and emergency department visits for different types of pain across the Triangle region of North Carolina.

Many people around the world are impacted by some form of bodily pain. Outside factors, such as weather, are thought to help trigger pain, especially in those who have pain-related conditions. When it comes to human health and comfort, understanding the potential external factors that aide in triggering pain is essential. Identifying such factors makes prevention and treatment of pain more feasible. This study focused on how those who suffer from various pain-related conditions (fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and general back pain) are impacted by different synoptic weather types (i.e., air masses). Synoptic weather types and emergency department (ED) visits for pain in select central North Carolina counties were collected over a seven-year period to determine a potential relationship. Bootstrapped confidence intervals revealed that moist tropical weather types resulted in the highest number of ED visits for each of the conditions examined, while moist polar weather types often resulted in the fewest. The barometric pressure changes associated with transitional weather types, which are often associated with fronts, did not have any significant relationships with pain.

Hurricane knowledge and interpretation of forecasted error cone and wind potential graphics.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to examine how participants understand, interpret, and make decisions using hurricane forecast graphics. DESIGN: A four-part online survey was administered. Participants were provided an error cone graphic and one of three experimental potential for damaging winds graphics. Hurricane knowledge was also measured. SUBJECTS: Two hundred eighty-six individuals initially responded to the survey. A subset of the sample was used for analysis (N = 203, with 130 responding to questions in all four parts). The average age was 41.97 (SD 12.97) with a range from 18 to 75. The reduced sample was 56.7 percent female and 43.3 percent male. RESULTS: Responses were significantly different between those receiving the potential for damaging winds graphic and both other graphics. The addition of the error cone did not significantly change decision making. Perceived helpfulness of the forecast graphic increased with the addition of the track, but similarly, the addition of the error cone did not contribute significantly (means = 5.91, 7.78, 8.09). A majority of respondents answered five of the six hurricane knowledge questions correctly (62.1-79 percent). The lowest percentage knew what ingredients hurricanes needed to form (36.3 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Track information significantly altered participants' perceptions of risk from damaging winds, but the error cone did not. Hurricane knowledge was good, with misconceptions existing regarding the effectiveness of taping windows and the meaning of the term "major hurricane." Understanding of the two forecast graphics was also good.