Disaster Epidemiology Lessons From Bam

Earthquake Dec 26, 2003 Iran

Part 2: Health and economical status of Bam before the earthquake

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A. Ardalan MD, MPH, PhD student in Epidemiology

Learning objectives:

To view the economical status of Bam before the earthquake

To understand the health status of Bam before the

earthquake2

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Geographic location of Bam

The Southeast of Kerman

province, on the outskirts of the

Dasht-e-Lut Desert in Southeast

Iran.

Distance from other cities: 220 Km from the city of Kerman

1,283 Km from Tehran

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Demography of Bam district before the earthquake

Total population: 240,000

Urban population: 40.4%

Rural population: 59.6%

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Economical status of Bam before the earthquake

Direct employment in agricultural sector: 25%

Most date farmers were small holders, and as such vulnerable

in socio-economic terms.

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Economical status of Kerman province

Unemployment rate: 25%

Population lived below the universal poverty line: 10%

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Citadel of Bam and economy

The city of Bam is famous for its ancient architecture.

Bam’s 2500 year-old ancient citadel drew in about 15,000 foreign tourists last year and as many as three times the number of Iranian tourists.

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Some Health Indicators of

Kerman province

compared with National level

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Some Health Indicators of

Kerman province

compared with National level

(Non- communicable diseases)

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Some Health Indicators of

Kerman province

compared with National level

(Infectious diseases)

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Endemic and Epidemic Diseases

The most endemic diseases:

Malaria

Cutaneous leishmaniasis

Recently epidemics:

Typhoid fever

Cholera

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Health care services of Bam

before the earthquake

References:

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