Disaster Loses in the Developing World: Evidence from the August 1999 Earthquake in Turkey

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of a natural disaster on a developing country’s economy. In that sense, we look at the impact of August 1999 earthquake in Turkey on two important macroeconomic indicators of the Turkish economy (Real Output and Employment) with recovery policies followed by the government and international donors. Our results indicate that the earthquake had a significant immediate negative impact on both output and employment growth in Turkey. While output growth reverted back to its predisaster pattern after the initial shock, employment growth did not recover. The earthquake had both a short run and long run influence on the Turkish economy. This study will develop understanding of the possible effects of future earthquakes. Also, it will help the Turkish Government evaluate already-applied mitigation measures (like Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool etc.) and guide the preparation for forthcoming disasters since scientists have reached a consensus that a major earthquake is expected in Istanbul.

Measuring the Regional Economic Response to Hurricane Katrina

Naturkatastrophe; Sturm; Makroökonomischer Einfluss; USA

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

An Economic Analysis of Wind Resistant Construction

Reinforced construction and strengthened building codes have been demonstrated to reduce expected damage from hurricanes in a cost effective manner. We examine whether reinforced construction (e.g. anchor bolts, hurricane clips, directional nailing) can provide efficient mitigation of property damage from tornadoes, using a case study of homes damaged in the May 3 1999 Oklahoma City Tornado. We find that if a package of wind resistant construction measures that cost no more than $500 could reduce insured losses by 30%, wind resistant construction could have a positive net present value in the most tornado prone states. A 30% reduction in wind damage is in line with estimates of damage reduction for construction in hurricane winds. The expected property damage reduction falls off rapidly in less tornado prone states

Spatial Dependencies in Wind-related Housing Damage

This article examines the spatial dependence among housing losses due to tornadoes using data from the May 1999 Oklahoma City tornado. In order to examine the existence of spatial dependence and its impacts on the damage analysis, we compare an estimation based on a traditional ordinary least square model with the general spatial model. The results show that housing damage in this disaster area is highly correlated. Monetary losses not only depend on the tornado that struck residences, but are related to the damage magnitudes of neighboring houses. Average losses as well as the loss ratio increase with the Fujita Scale damage rating. We conclude that the general spatial model provides unbiased estimates compared to the ordinary least square model. In order to construct appropriate home insurance policies for tornado disasters or to improve the damage resistance capabilities of houses, it is necessary for insurance underwriters and builders to consider spatial correlation of tornado damage

An Experimental Examination of Market Concentration and Capacity Effects on Price Competition

This research examines the comparative impact of market concentration and excess capacity on the performance of posted-offer experimental markets. We report the results of panel data analysis of 35 markets with or without excess capacity involving two, three, or four sellers. We find that sellers can sustain higher prices in more concentrated laboratory markets. Higher levels of excess capacity lead to lower laboratory market prices supporting the notion that excess capacity reduces the ability of firms to collude as opposed to the view that excess capacity is a trigger strategy punishment that sustains collusion.

Catastrophe-induced Destruction and Reconstruction

This study examines the destruction caused by the May 3, 1999 Oklahoma City tornado and the rebuilding process using panel data techniques. The results indicate that, within 3 years, the average property value of the damaged cohort exceeded the undamaged group. We use a unique data set that includes individual Fujita-scale damage assessments from Texas Tech University in conjunction with estimates of market value provided by the Oklahoma County Tax Assessor. We estimate the relationship between the Fujita-scale damage assessment and the monetary loss in market value. Our results suggest that the greatest opportunity to reduce monetary losses from tornado damage is for low-intensity tornadoes. Further, at damage ratings of F1 and higher, research should be directed toward life safety measures

The Supervision Genogram: A Tool for Preparing Supervisors-in-Training

The purpose of this article is to introduce the supervision genogram as a training tool that can be implemented in supervisor training. The supervision genogram is a unique training tool that may be used to enhance supervisors\u27-in-training self-awareness and understanding of the supervisory process. Psychological trainers who are responsible for training supervisors may also find that the supervision genogram can aid them in assessing the needs of supervisors-in-training and in creating corresponding supervisory environments and experiences. A detailed account of how to develop and process the supervision genogram is given. An overview of supervision genogram symbols and a completed supervision genogram are also provided. Implications for training, such as flexibility of application, ethical and professional issues, and developmental considerations for using this tool are discussed