Research Counts


By Jason von Meding and Ksenia Chmutina

Using the term “natural” in conjunction with disaster obscures the ways that risk is created. Learn more about the data behind why that matters.


By Lori Peek

Religious considerations can play a role in whether or not people of faith decide to make use of public shelters. Read more about how we can ensure culturally competent shelters are available for Muslim Americans and other religious minorities.


By Sarah DeYoung

Small steps and a change of perspective about infant feeding in evacuation shelters could have big impacts on the well-being of mothers and children alike.


By Cody Knutson, Alexander Smart, Jerry Volesky, Michael Hayes, Mark Burbach, Tonya Haigh, and Walter Schacht

Planning for drought might seem like an unnecessary expense to ranch managers—especially in moister years—but recovering from drought is more expensive. Learn more about cost-effective drought planning in this Research Counts.


By Kelly Klima and Ismael Arciniegas Rueda

While disaster recovery costs will always come with uncertainties, new trends in cost estimation can limit them somewhat and help rebuild faster.


By Darcy Sullivan and Joane Nagel

The inability to access adequate menstrual hygiene supplies in emergency shelters can make a stressful situation even more difficult for women and girls. Luckily, simple steps can be taken to address this important and sensitive public health issue.


By Betty Pfefferbaum, Anne K. Jacobs, and Merritt D. Schreiber

It’s important to make sure children’s mental health isn’t overlooked in disasters. Learn how implementing a system involving triage, screening, and referral can improve their outcomes.


By Jessica Austin

After people imperiled themselves for their pets in Hurricane Katrina, including animals in emergency plans became law. Learn more about resources that can ensure people feel comfortable sheltering with their animals.


By Cindy L. Holle

Teaching mass care workers to recognize the signs of dementia, depression, and delirium in older adults can ensure safety and reduce the burden on shelter resources.


By Rachel Adams

Although it takes time and resources, collaborating with community groups can drastically improve the capacity and effectiveness of public health agencies. Learn how to make such partnerships a success.


If you are interested in contributing to this series, please contact Natural Hazards Center Director Lori Peek directly at lori.peek@colorado.edu.


Acknowledgements

Research Counts is made possible with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF Award #1635593) and supplemental support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Integrated Drought Information System (NOAA-NIDIS). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF, FEMA, NOAA-NIDIS, or Natural Hazards Center.