Abstract
Severe and morbid obesity are associated with highly elevated risks of adverse health outcomes and the prevalence of severe obesity is increasing globally. To date, disaster literature has not considered severe and morbid obesity as a specific vulnerability, despite reports of people being left behind during disasters because of their body size, shape or weight. The complex causes of obesity are associated with the social determinants of health and one’s potential vulnerability to disasters. The absence of appropriate considerations may lead to people being exposed to disproportionate and potentially avoidable risk. The intersection of the social determinants of health, disaster vulnerability, severe and morbid obesity is explored. Previously identified vulnerable groups are also represented in severe and morbid obesity data. This poses the prospect for ‘triple jeopardy’ compounding the social determinants of health, disaster vulnerability and considerations with and for people with morbid obesity. When working to reduce disaster risk for vulnerable groups, the author proposes specific consideration is required to ensure ‘all-of-society engagement and partnership’ in an inclusive, accessible and non-discriminatory manner, to ensure no one is left behind.
Highlights
The year 2017 may be remembered for a multitude of disasters around the world, not least category five hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria devastating Island nations in the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA), deadly earthquakes in Mexico killing hundreds and injuring thousands and some of the worst flooding to hit South Asia in decades
This article presents a perspective on the intersection of the social determinants of health and disaster vulnerability in relation to severe and morbid obesity in adults
Disproportionate levels of severe and morbid obesity are experienced by different ethnicities and Indigenous populations in countries such as the USA, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia [37,88,89,90,91,92]
Summary
The year 2017 may be remembered for a multitude of disasters around the world, not least category five hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria devastating Island nations in the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA), deadly earthquakes in Mexico killing hundreds and injuring thousands and some of the worst flooding to hit South Asia in decades. Lindsay argues that the factors of disaster vulnerability and determinants of health align, presenting the opportunity for shared goals towards identification and management of risks [5]. Evacuation drills had previously been conducted, without representative shape and weight in the evacuation sled This patient’s relative size, shape and weight were reported as the defining factors for her being left behind. This patient was eventually evacuated several days after the storm when power was restored to enable elevators to operate [19]. This article presents a perspective on the intersection of the social determinants of health and disaster vulnerability in relation to severe and morbid obesity in adults (aged 18 years and over)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
