Health Risks as A Result of Floods Caused by Climate Change: The Finnish Authorities Preparedness
Kuutti-Hintikainen, Anita (2019)
Kuutti-Hintikainen, Anita
2019
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019120324424
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019120324424
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ABSTRACT
Kuutti-Hintikainen, Anita
Health Risks as A Result of Floods Caused by Climate Change – The Preparedness of the Finnish Authorities 62 pages, 4 appendices
Autumn 2019
Diakonia University of Applied Sciences
Master’s Degree in Global Health Care
Master of Global Health Care
The purpose of this thesis was to find out what health risks floods cause to health and how Finnish authorities are preparing for floods. Climate change is increasing flooding globally.
Methods: This thesis was conducted by scoping a literary review of 16 articles and semi-structured theme interviews of two experts. The articles and interviews were analysed with inductive content analysis.
Results: The results form seven categories. 1) Health risks are divided into physical and psychosocial risks. The preparedness of different stakeholders include 2) the preparedness of health care authorities, 3) business and economy life preparedness, 4) developing of early warning systems, 5) using mathematical, hydrological and hydraulic modelling to predict floods, 6) making preparedness plans and 7) co-operation with different authorities. The EU has made directives for member countries to make plans for climate change and flooding. The biggest and most probable risks for health are contamination of drinking water, non-communicable diseases and damp damages in Finland. Losing of property, family members and being evacuated cause also long-lasting psychological problems. There is a need for disease surveillance, competent health care personnel and education of public. Many sectors in the society, like business life need to be prepared for flooding, especially in flood-prone areas. Early warning systems are made by municipalities. In Finland the flood centre is responsible for managing floods. Flood centre consists of Finnish meteorological institute and ELY centre. Suomen ympäristökeskus SYKE makes the flood estimates using mathematical, hydrological and hydraulic modelling. Luova is an information channel between Finnish authorities in disasters like floods. Preparedness is important also in planning of infrastructure in towns and villages.
Conclusions: Finland is well prepared for floods because of a stable society, good governance and powerful institutions. Finland’s strengths are good health care and educated people. Keywords: climate change, floods, health risks, preparedness
Kuutti-Hintikainen, Anita
Health Risks as A Result of Floods Caused by Climate Change – The Preparedness of the Finnish Authorities 62 pages, 4 appendices
Autumn 2019
Diakonia University of Applied Sciences
Master’s Degree in Global Health Care
Master of Global Health Care
The purpose of this thesis was to find out what health risks floods cause to health and how Finnish authorities are preparing for floods. Climate change is increasing flooding globally.
Methods: This thesis was conducted by scoping a literary review of 16 articles and semi-structured theme interviews of two experts. The articles and interviews were analysed with inductive content analysis.
Results: The results form seven categories. 1) Health risks are divided into physical and psychosocial risks. The preparedness of different stakeholders include 2) the preparedness of health care authorities, 3) business and economy life preparedness, 4) developing of early warning systems, 5) using mathematical, hydrological and hydraulic modelling to predict floods, 6) making preparedness plans and 7) co-operation with different authorities. The EU has made directives for member countries to make plans for climate change and flooding. The biggest and most probable risks for health are contamination of drinking water, non-communicable diseases and damp damages in Finland. Losing of property, family members and being evacuated cause also long-lasting psychological problems. There is a need for disease surveillance, competent health care personnel and education of public. Many sectors in the society, like business life need to be prepared for flooding, especially in flood-prone areas. Early warning systems are made by municipalities. In Finland the flood centre is responsible for managing floods. Flood centre consists of Finnish meteorological institute and ELY centre. Suomen ympäristökeskus SYKE makes the flood estimates using mathematical, hydrological and hydraulic modelling. Luova is an information channel between Finnish authorities in disasters like floods. Preparedness is important also in planning of infrastructure in towns and villages.
Conclusions: Finland is well prepared for floods because of a stable society, good governance and powerful institutions. Finland’s strengths are good health care and educated people.