Rehabilitation and Earthquakes

Overview

Earthquakes strike suddenly and can rapidly overwhelm health systems. These disasters cause large numbers of traumatic injuries such as fractures, amputations, crush injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and sometimes, burns. Early rehabilitation — beginning as soon as possible after injury — is essential to prevent complications, reduce secondary impairments, shorten hospital stays and improve long-term outcomes. Rehabilitation also supports people with pre-existing health conditions whose access to essential services or assistive products may be disrupted during earthquakes, and in their aftermath.