Lessons learned and unsolved public health problems after large - scale disasters

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the considerable medical and psychological problems that ensue after disasters in which massive populations are affected for extended and sometimes unknown time periods.The organization od disasterresponse teams after large-scale disasters is based on experiences as a medical specialist at Chernobyl immediately after this catastrophe. Optimal ways of dealing with immediate medical and logistical demands as well as long-term public health problems are explored with a particular focus on radiation disasters. Other lesson learned from Chernobyl are explained (AU)