Mother nature's disasters and their health effects: a literature review.

Each year global warming and climate changes are affecting Mother Nature, causing extreme weather events to occur (Patz & Khaliq, 2002). The impact of these disasters uproots populations, causes massive infrastructure destruction, and sets the stage for an increase of population mortality and morbidity. Before, during, and after the disaster, nurses provide health care to those in need. Nurses should be aware of the anticipated diseases, traumas, and short- and long-term illnesses that occur following the different types of natural disasters. The purpose of this article is to review existing data and alert nurses to the potential threats they may face following a natural disaster.