Indirect disaster-related deaths among patients with hematologic disorders after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster

The impact of radiation disasters can be classified as direct and indirect issues related to radiation. While radiation-related direct health issues are caused by radiation itself, indirect health issues can be caused by various factors. Under disaster conditions, patients requiring ongoing treatment are especially vulnerable. Hematologic disorders are chronic diseases, and affected patients require advanced and specialized medical care on a continuous basis. Therefore, in the event of a disaster, it is important to appropriately manage patients with hematologic disorders. This study is a case series of disaster-related deaths among patients with hematologic disorders in Minamisoma City after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Among 520 certified indirect disaster-related deaths, three involved hematologic disorders. The first individual had myelodysplasia and died because of insufficient care 7 h after evacuation from the admitting hospital to the destination hospital. The second individual had thrombocythemia, and stress after the disaster worsened his condition from thrombocythemia to myelofibrosis. The third individual did not have a hematologic disorder before the disaster; however, a health checkup performed after moving into temporary housing revealed acute myeloid leukemia. These findings suggest that short- and mid-to-long-term evacuation after a radiation disaster can lead to treatment interruptions and delays in diagnosis in patients with chronic diseases, such as hematologic disorders. Measures such as individualized evacuation plans, predisaster preparedness, and medical data sharing are crucial to ensure continuity of care. Strengthened disaster care systems are vital for managing patients with chronic diseases, including those with hematologic disorders.