Long-term impact of the Galtuer avalanche on the public health system

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0570

Keywords:

disaster management, long-term impact, natural hazard, case study, public health, avalanche

Abstract

On February 23, 1999, an avalanche buried large parts of the village of Galtuer Austria, killing 31 people. The purpose of this paper is to examine the longer-term impact of this avalanche on the public health system. For the case study, we used a mixed-method approach consisting of a document study and expert interviews with people who were involved in the disaster-management operations. Many long-term changes were undertaken in the context of infrastructural measures, disaster-management structures, and coordination and cooperation within the existing system to protect people and property as well as to provide important information for decision makers. The investigation reveals the importance of situational approaches to the post-disaster phase depending on the recovery needs of those affected. Moreover, the value of social capital in a disaster situation is emphasized.

 

Author Biographies

Nina Lorenzoni, MA

Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and HTA, Institute for Management and Economics in Healthcare, UMIT TIROL-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall, Tirol, Austria

Margit Raich, PhD

Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and HTA, Institute for Management and Economics in Healthcare, UMIT TIROL-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall, Tirol, Austria

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Published

03/01/2021

How to Cite

Lorenzoni, MA, N., and M. Raich, PhD. “Long-Term Impact of the Galtuer Avalanche on the Public Health System”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 19, no. 2, Mar. 2021, pp. 197-08, doi:10.5055/jem.0570.