Natural Disasters and Lung Health: Focus on Earthquake-Related Respiratory Infections

Earthquakes are sudden natural disasters that not only cause immediate physical destruction but also pose substantial long-term public health challenges, particularly through respiratory infections. Crowded temporary shelters, inadequate ventilation, exposure to dust and debris, stress-induced immunosuppression, and disruptions in healthcare services significantly increase the risk of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and tuberculosis among affected populations. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases, are at heightened risk. Effective disaster response requires rapid medical interventions, vaccination campaigns, hygiene and ventilation improvements, crowd management, and continuity of care. Evidence-based strategies targeting these factors are essential to reduce post-earthquake respiratory morbidity and mortality and to strengthen preparedness for future disasters. Furthermore, establishing effective public health communication strategies to increase community awareness regarding hygiene, mask usage, and early symptom recognition is vital for mitigating post-disaster respiratory morbidity.