Information, Public Health and Disaster Management: Evidence on the use of public data in the floods of Rio Grande do Sul
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i12.50421Keywords:
Natural disasters, Public data, Decision-making, Public health, Floods.Abstract
The floods that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul represented a large-scale public health emergency, requiring rapid responses and evidence-based decision-making. Although public domain data are widely available on digital platforms, their systematic use to support disaster management remains limited. This study aimed to identify and analyze public data sources related to the floods in Rio Grande do Sul that may support decision-making in catastrophic contexts. A scoping review was conducted, including searches in scientific databases (MEDLINE and the Virtual Health Library – VHL), as well as gray literature, such as governmental documents, institutional databases, and digital monitoring platforms. The results revealed a scarcity of original scientific articles, with most publications consisting of editorials and reviews. In contrast, gray literature provided a greater volume of information from institutions such as Civil Defense and CEMADEN, albeit with limitations regarding standardization, periodicity, and the absence of data dictionaries. Despite the wide availability of public data, the lack of scientific validation and system integration restricts their robust use in decision-making. Strengthening strategies for data systematization and integration may significantly enhance disaster response and public health management.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Thiago Vaz de Andrade, Ana Clara Oliveira Lima, Clara Costa Alkmim, Hanna Vitória da Cruz Correia, Isabelle Christine Melo Correia de Oliveira, Julia Maria de Oliveira Santos, Luma Teles de Resende, Luys Antônyo Vasconcelos Caetano, Mariana de Oliveira Matos, Maria Eduarda Fonseca de Melo, Maria Eduarda de Alcântara de Alcântara Oliveira, Pedro Henrique Costa França, Renato Cardoso de Queiroz, Luana Teles de Resende
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