Mothers have been found to be an especially emotionally vulnerable population during extreme weather events, particularly in the circumstances of hurricanes due to the addition of evacuation-related stressors and parental responsibilities. Emotional/psychological distress can increase the likelihood of engaging in behaviors that increase health risk.

Hurricane Exposure and Mothers' Health Risk Behaviors

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, directly impact human health via forced evacuation/migration, reduced access to basic needs, and life-threatening circumstances. They may also exert indirect effects by increasing health risk behaviors.

Cleveland State University

Environmental health issues can directly affect human health physically (ex. water pollution leads to outbreaks of waterborne diseases), but it can also lead to psychological illness, including anxiety & post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Environmental impact on physical & mental health

La Greca, A. M., Brodar, K. E., Tarlow, N., &amp; Burdette, E. (2022). Evacuation- and hurricane-related experiences, emotional distress, and their associations with mothers’ health risk behaviors. Health Psychology, 41(7), 443–454. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001202 

Evacuation- and Hurricane-Related Experiences, Emotional Distress, and
Their Associations With Mothers’ Health Risk Behaviors

The psychological consequences of distress due to experiencing an environmental disaster.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After