This presentation aims to define exposure to a major disaster in a way which is yet to be investigated in the literature. Often, research measures spatial exposure to events by using an individual's home address. However, what if researchers have access to more specific location-based data showing the exact location at the time the disaster struck? This research examines birth cohort data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS), to determine the whereabouts of individuals at the time(s) of the two major earthquakes during the Canterbury (NZ) Earthquake Sequence (2010-11) (CES).
The CHDS follows the health, education and life progress of 1,265 children born in the Christchurch (NZ) urban region in 1977. Individuals' home and work addresses were used to identify their exposures to the CES. This location-based data was related to the damage caused by the CES.
Approximately 38% of the CHDS sample were located in the Canterbury region during either, or both of the two major earthquakes. With focus on the February 2011 earthquake, 51.5% of the exposed CHDS cohort were at work, and 48.5% at home. Overall, 47% of the cohort were located in the worst affected areas, meaning these individuals experienced the highest exposure to the event.
Experiencing a major disaster can be associated with adverse outcomes. This study improves our understanding of the Uncertain Geographic Context Problem by more accurately delineating exposure. Those who have a high exposure at work, and at a home address are likely to have more severe outcomes than those who experience lower exposure. Following this birth cohort over time to investigate their exposures prior and post the CES will allow researchers to develop a diverse understanding of the effects that exposure to a major event can have on a population.