Cyclones and Health

Madagascar experiences frequent and severe cyclonic storms, which present ongoing public health challenges in a context of limited infrastructure and food insecurity. In this project, we analyze over a decade of national clinic data alongside detailed storm records (2010–2022) to assess how storm exposure affects health outcomes across the country. Using a Bayesian statistical framework, we examine changes in district-level diagnoses of diarrheal illnesses and traumatic injuries—including those related to violence, road accidents, suicide attempts, and workplace incidents—following tropical storms and cyclones. Our findings highlight increased rates of illness and injury in the months following storm events, offering valuable insights to inform preparedness and response efforts.