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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Children and adolescents with disabilities and exposure to disasters, terrorism, and the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Mann M, Mcmillan JE, Silver EJ, Stein REK
2021
Current Psychiatry Reports. 45 (4): 205-209

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper reviews the empirical literature on exposures to disaster or terrorism and their impacts on the health and well-being of children with disabilities and their families since the last published update in 2017. We also review the literature on studies examining the mental health and functioning of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. RECENT FINDINGS: Few studies have examined the effects of disaster or terrorism on children with disabilities. Research shows that children with disabilities and their families have higher levels of disaster exposure, lower levels of disaster preparedness, and less recovery support due to longstanding discriminatory practices. Similarly, many reports of the COVID-19 pandemic have documented its negative and disproportionate impacts on children with disabilities and their families. In the setting of climate change, environmental disasters are expected to increase in frequency and severity. Future studies identifying mitigating factors to disasters, including COVID-19; increasing preparedness on an individual, community, and global level; and evaluating post-disaster trauma-informed treatment practices are imperative to support the health and well-being of children with disabilities and their families.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

    Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
    Global or Unspecified Location
    Infectious Disease, Mental Health and Well-Being
    • Infectious Disease, Mental Health and Well-Being: Airborne Disease
      • Airborne Disease: Coronavirus [e.g., SARS, MERS, COVID-19]
      Airborne Disease
    • Infectious Disease, Mental Health and Well-Being: Childhood Behavioral Disorder, Stress Disorder
    Review Article
    Vulnerable Population
    • Vulnerable Population: Children, Pre-existing Medical Condition
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