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Background: Natural disasters result in significant numbers of disabling impairments. Paradoxically, however, the traditional health system response to natural disasters largely neglects health-related rehabilitation as a strategic intervention. Objectives: To examine the role of health-related rehabilitation in natural disaster relief along three lines of inquiry: (1) epidemiology of injury and disability, (2) impact on health and rehabilitation systems, and (3) the assessment and measurement of disability. Design: Qualitative literature review and secondary data analysis. Results: Absolute numbers of injuries as well as injury to death ratios in natural disasters have increased significantly over the last 40 years. Major impairments requiring health-related rehabilitation include amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries (SCI), and long bone fractures. Studies show that persons with pre-existing disabilities are more likely to die in a natural disaster. Lack of health-related rehabilitation in natural disaster relief may result in additional burdening of the health system capacity, exacerbating baseline weak rehabilitation and health system infrastructure. Little scientific evidence on the effectiveness of health-related rehabilitation interventions following natural disaster exists, however. Although systematic assessment and measurement of disability after a natural disaster is currently lacking, new approaches have been suggested. Conclusion: Health-related rehabilitation potentially results in decreased morbidity due to disabling injuries sustained during a natural disaster and is, therefore, an essential component of the medical response by the host and international communities. Significant systematic challenges to effective delivery of rehabilitation interventions during disaster include a lack of trained responders as well as a lack of medical recordkeeping, data collection, and established outcome measures. Additional development of health-related rehabilitation following natural disaster is urgently required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract which discusses the issue of funding for rehabilitation medicine. The percentage of people with disabilities in the United States has steadily been increasing for last 25 years. The annual expenditure on people with disabilities include $86 billion for Medicare/Medicaid, $88 billion for Social Security, $40 billion for mental health programs, and $6 billion for vocational rehabilitation. However, there is inadequate funding for disability research as only 3.2% of foundation dollars went to disability research. The major sources of government funding like the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, first establish general funding priorities, invite requests for proposals, and then evaluate submitted proposals based on scientific merit. Disability and rehabilitation is one of the many areas of healthcare that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality supports and the budget for it was $303.7 million. To overcome the problems related to funds, a coordinating inter-association committee for research funding should be established between the Association of Academic Physiatrists, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, with a linkage to consumer-based groups.

The article highlights the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, as an opportunity to advocate equal opportunities. It points out the issues faced by persons with disabilities and presents the theme for 2012, which is "Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All." It emphasizes on the participation opportunities for all stakeholders. It highlights the importance of holding forums, information campaigns, and public discussions.