Latest News On Natural Disasters

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Hurricane Ian Shows That Coastal Hospitals Aren’t Ready for Climate Change

KFF Health News Original

Hundreds of medical centers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts face serious risks from even relatively weak storms as climate change accelerates sea-level rise — not to mention big ones like Category 4 Hurricane Ian.

Native Americans Feel Double Pain of COVID and Fires ‘Gobbling Up the Ground’

KFF Health News Original

Tribal leaders have worked to keep the coronavirus off their reservations because of its deadly impact on Native populations. But careful avoidance of the COVID virus has handcuffed the tribes as they face a devastating fire season.

Tough to Tell COVID From Smoke Inhalation Symptoms — And Flu Season’s Coming

KFF Health News Original

Respiratory symptoms stemming from coronavirus infection and smoke inhalation are too similar to distinguish without a full workup. This is complicating the jobs of health care workers as wildfires rage up and down the West Coast.

How to Weigh Evacuation Options With Both Wildfires and COVID at Your Door

KFF Health News Original

As the twin disasters of COVID-19 and fire season sweep through California, thousands of residents are weighing difficult options, pitting risk against risk as they decide where to evacuate. Amid a virulent pandemic, where can you safely relocate?

Wildfires Provide Another Reason to Mask Up

KFF Health News Original

As the long U.S. fire season gets underway, it’s even more important for Western residents to have a good face mask. Unfortunately, most of the masks we’re wearing for COVID-19 aren’t great for smoke.

COVID Plans Put to Test as Firefighters Crowd Camps for Peak Wildfire Season

KFF Health News Original

Thousands of firefighters from across the U.S. have converged on the West as the wildfire season enters its peak. The inherently dangerous job now carries the additional risk of COVID-19 transmission, and fire managers are adapting their plans for crowded fire camps in the hope of preventing outbreaks that could sideline crews and weaken the nation’s firefighting infrastructure.

‘An Arm And A Leg’: What A Fleet Of Firetrucks Can Teach About Public Health

KFF Health News Original

This week on “An Arm and a Leg,” a front-line physician wonders if the health care industry’s drive for “efficiency” has robbed the system of surge capacity, leaving the nation underprepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.