The role of hazard vulnerability assessments in disaster preparedness and prevention in China

Yan Du; Yi-bo Ding; Zi-xiong Li; Guang-wen Cao

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The role of hazard vulnerability assessments in disaster preparedness and prevention in China

COMMENTARY | Updated：2026-03-12

- The role of hazard vulnerability assessments in disaster preparedness and prevention in China
- Military Medical Research Vol. 2, Issue 4, Pages: 228-234(2015)
- Affiliations：
  
  Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China
- Author bio：
  
  *: gcao@smmu.edu.cn
- Funds：
- DOI：
  CLC：
- Published：2015-12
- Accepted：
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Yan Du, Yi-bo Ding, Zi-xiong Li, et al. The role of hazard vulnerability assessments in disaster preparedness and prevention in China[J]. Military Medical Research, 2015, 2(4): 228-234.
DOI：

Yan Du, Yi-bo Ding, Zi-xiong Li, et al. The role of hazard vulnerability assessments in disaster preparedness and prevention in China[J]. Military Medical Research, 2015, 2(4): 228-234. DOI：

摘要

Abstract

China is prone to disasters and escalating disaster losses. Effective disaster mitigation is the foundation for efficient disaster response and rescue and for reducing the degree of hazardous impacts on the population. Vulnerability refers to the population’s capacity to anticipate

cope with

and recover from the impact of a hazardous event. A hazard vulnerability assessment (HVA) systematically evaluates the damage that could be caused by a potential disaster

the severity of the impact

and the available medical resources during a disaster to reduce population vulnerability and increase the capacity to cope with disasters. In this article

we summarized HVA team membership

content (disaster identification

probability and consequences)

and methods and procedures for an HVA that can be tailored to China’s needs. We further discussed the role of epidemiology in an HVA. Disaster epidemiology studies the underlying causes of disasters to achieve effective disaster prevention and reduction. In addition

we made several recommendations that are already in practice in developed countries

such as the U.S.

for future implementation in China and other developing countries. An effective HVA plan is crucial for successful disaster preparedness

response

and recovery.

关键词

Keywords

references

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