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Article

Massacre, Earthquake, Flood

Translational Science Evidence That the Use of Micronutrients Postdisaster Reduces the Risk of Post-Traumatic Stress in Survivors of Disasters

Published Online:February 17, 2021https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000003

Abstract

Abstract. Natural (e.g., earthquake, flood, wildfires) and human-made (e.g., terrorism, civil strife) disasters are inevitable, can cause extensive disruption, and produce chronic and disabling psychological injuries leading to formal diagnoses (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). Following natural disasters of earthquake (Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand, 2010–11) and flood (Calgary, Canada, 2013), controlled research showed statistically and clinically significant reductions in psychological distress for survivors who consumed minerals and vitamins (micronutrients) in the following months. Following a mass shooting in Christchurch (March 15, 2019), where a gunman entered mosques during Friday prayers and killed and injured many people, micronutrients were offered to survivors as a clinical service based on translational science principles and adapted to be culturally appropriate. In this first translational science study in the area of nutrition and disasters, clinical results were reported for 24 clients who completed the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and the Modified-Clinical Global Impression (M-CGI-I). The findings clearly replicated prior controlled research. The IES-R Cohen’s d ESs were 1.1 (earthquake), 1.2 (flood), and 1.13 (massacre). Effect sizes (ESs) for the DASS subscales were also consistently positive across all three events. The M-CGI-I identified 58% of the survivors as “responders” (i.e., self-reported as “much” to “very much” improved), in line with those reported in the earthquake (42%) and flood (57%) randomized controlled trials, and PTSD risk reduced from 75% to 17%. Given ease of use and large ESs, this evidence supports the routine use of micronutrients by disaster survivors as part of governmental response.

Impact and Implications

Disasters, both natural (e.g., earthquakes, floods) and human-made (e.g., terrorism, civil strife), affect communities worldwide, often causing immense disruption and suffering, and lasting psychological injuries.

Following the mass shooting in mosques in Christchurch, NZ, in March 2019, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) were offered to survivors as a clinical service, and results replicated controlled research in the aftermath of an earthquake and a flood that showed that providing survivors with micronutrients reduced psychological distress, to a clinically significant degree, immediately and at one-year follow-up.

This research promotes the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals number 2 (improve nutrition) and number 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being).

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