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Book Review: Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 July 2023

Samuel J. Stratton*
Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles - Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California USA
*
Correspondence: Samuel J. Stratton, MD, MPH University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health 650 Charles E Young Drive Los Angeles, California 90095 USA E-mail: strattos@ucla.edu
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Abstract

Type
Article Commentary
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

The third edition of the definitive disaster medicine text and reference, Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine, Reference Ciottone, Burkle and Al-Ali1 has become available with significant updating and expansion from the previous 2016 edition. As stated in the preface, the new edition is the result of extensive work by many authors. The third edition represents the most current definitive reference for the expanding field of disaster health and medicine.

The printed text includes 1,005 pages of information. In addition to the printed text, access to an online version of the book is provided at no cost to the purchaser of the hard copy version. Each chapter of the book is organized with historical references, discussions of current aspects of the chapter topic, and strategy recommendations. Particularly helpful is the inclusion of a pitfalls summary following the main text of each chapter. Elsevier (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA), the publisher of the book, has produced a high-quality product with text that is well copyedited and typeset, copious figures that are high-definition in quality, and extensive indexing to allow for quick access to a specific item.

The third edition is thoughtfully organized and begins with a general overview of the major aspects of disaster health and medicine, including the immediate disaster management and recovery roles of public health, Emergency Medical Services, emergency medicine, and hospitals. Special circumstances such as the impact of disasters for children are addressed as well as disaster ethics and liabilities.

The first part of the edition follows the logical sequences in the disaster management cycle with detailed chapters that cover diverse topics such as information technology, vaccines, mutual aid, and disaster nursing. Emphasized within individual chapters are hazard risk assessment, mitigation, and preparation planning. Of particular importance is the expertise of the various chapter authors. An example is the conceptual difference between a mass-casualty incident and a disaster as explained by Mahon and Rifino in their chapter titled, “Emergency Medical Services in Disaster Management and Preparedness.” Also included in the first part of the book are specific chapters that address the important topics of disaster education and research, as well as measures of effectiveness in disaster management.

The second part of the book includes detailed analyses and discussions of specific types of disaster events with a focus on disaster management. This section of the book includes multiple chapters in each of the following types of disaster events: natural disasters, nuclear and radiation events, chemical events, biological events - including bacterial, viral and others, blast events, burn disasters, ballistic injuries, crushing injury events, and combination events. Each of the events listed are examined and discussed thoroughly in chapters written by a number of expert authors. Chapters that were in previous editions of the book have been meticulously updated to reflect current scientific evidence and health practices. In addition, new material is included, such as full chapters on hantavirus, M-pox, and SARS viruses. Newer disaster threats such as power system failures, cyberterrorism, and space travel are also included in the third edition.

Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine is highly recommended for those responsible for disaster mitigation and planning, disaster responders, disaster managers, and academics as an up-to-date, comprehensive reference that addresses all aspects of disaster health and medicine.

Conflicts of interest

None

References

Ciottone, G, Burkle, FM, Al-Ali, SF, et al, (eds). Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine. 3rd edition. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA: Elsevier Inc.; 2024.Google Scholar