Laserfiche WebLink
2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan <br />Kittitas County, Washington <br /> <br /> <br />Chapter 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 215 <br />management of chronic conditions. Additionally, these emergencies can result in psychological distress, <br />fear, and social disruption within affected populations. <br /> <br />Property Damage and Critical Facilities: Communicable diseases and pandemics do not directly <br />impact property damage or critical facilities. However, during a pandemic, critical infrastructure may face <br />unprecedented strain and reduced staff due to infection which may contribute to potential failures.288F <br />289 For <br />example, healthcare facilities may experience increased demands and strains on resources, which can <br />affect their capacity to provide adequate care. Additionally, transportation systems (e.g., airports and <br />roadways) may face disruptions, impacting the movement of supplies, personnel, and patients. <br />Communicable diseases/pandemics can also affect the functioning of utilities (e.g., water and wastewater <br />systems, power grids, and communication networks). <br /> <br />Economy: Communicable diseases/pandemics can often lead to disruptions in various sectors of the <br />economy – as seen most recently during the COVID-19 Pandemic. For instance, lockdowns, travel <br />restrictions, and social distancing guidelines can result in business closures, reduced consumer <br />spending, and job losses. Industries directly impacted by public health emergencies (e.g., hospitality, <br />tourism, retail) may experience a decline in revenue and profitability. Additionally, healthcare systems <br />and public health agencies may face increased financial burdens due to the surge in service demand and <br />the need to invest in emergency response capabilities. <br /> <br />Changes in Development and Impact of Future Development: Changes in development have <br />minimally increased (4% or less) the vulnerability of Kittitas County to communicable <br />diseases/pandemics. Future development may minimally increase (4% or less) the impact of <br />communicable diseases/pandemics within Kittitas County. <br /> <br />Underserved and At Risk Population: Underserved and at risk populations face significant <br />vulnerabilities and impacts during a communicable disease/pandemic event. These populations include, <br />but are not limited to, low income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, people with <br />disabilities, those with preexisting health conditions. These groups may have limited access to healthcare <br />facilities and tend to have a higher rate of uninsured or underinsured which can result in higher mortality <br />rates due to delayed treatment. Additionally, individuals with limited English proficiency may have limited <br />access to public health information.289F <br />290 Another at risk population during a communicable <br />disease/pandemic event is the frontline workers (e.g., healthcare workers, grocery store and public <br />transportation employees) because these jobs cannot be performed remotely which increases their <br />exposure and risk. <br /> <br />Effects of Climate Change in Severity of Impacts: Climate Change has indirect impacts on <br />communicable diseases and pandemics. As global average temperatures continue to increase, the <br />reproduction rate, resilience, and distribution of vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, West Nile, Zika, <br />Chikungunya) are likely to increase. <br /> <br /> <br />289 John Hopkins Center for Health Security. (n.d.). Protecting Critical Infrastructure from the Next Pandemic. <br />Retrieved from https://centerforhealthsecurity.org/our-work/research-projects/protecting-critical-infrastructure- <br />from-the-next-pandemic. <br />290 United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What is Health Equity? Retrieved from <br />https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/whatis/index.html.