DTAC Bulletin: Managing Chronic Disease During Disasters

Managing Chronic Disease During Disasters According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 75 percent of U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, or kidney disease.1 Because chronic conditions are so widespread, it is critical that people with chronic conditions, their families and caregivers, and emergency management personnel develop plans for managing these conditions during disasters. Explore the resources below to learn more about how you or your loved ones with chronic diseases can prepare for disasters. Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic medical condition for which uninterrupted access to treatment is especially important during disasters. The Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs (pages 21–22) offer recommendations to help maintain continuity of care, access to medications, patient communication, and support for individuals affected by transportation or mobility challenges during emergencies. After the Storm: Managing Chronic Conditions after a Natural Disaster https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/media/pdfs/2024/managing-chronic-conditions-after-natural-disaster-508.pdf?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=72da689e88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_26_01_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d5b39b5406-167840245 This CDC tip sheet discusses what to do following a disaster for those with a chronic condition. Conditions covered include Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health conditions. This resource also includes QR codes to materials with further information. Planning for Emergencies: A Guide for People with Kidney Disease https://nkfm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NKF-Planning-for-Emergencies-A-Guide-for-People-with-CKD.pdf?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=72da689e88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_26_01_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d5b39b5406-167840245 More than 35.5 million adults in the United States have chronic kidney disease.2 This guide, provided by the National Kidney Foundation, offers information and forms that people with chronic kidney disease and their loved ones can use to prepare for disasters. The guide provides general preparedness tips for people with kidney disease, steps to take after a natural disaster, and diet recommendations for people who use dialysis to manage chronic kidney disease and cannot access dialysis services during or after a disaster. Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults and People With Disabilities The Administration for Community Living (ACL) designed this poster to help people prepare for emergencies. It highlights how to prepare electric medical devices for power outages, the importance of creating a network of support, and what to include in an emergency preparedness kit. ACL also offers a medical information card that can be printed and included in emergency preparedness kits for those living with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Questions About the SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin? The SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin is a monthly newsletter used to share updates in the field, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources. For more information, please contact: Anne Genet Reim, M.P.H. 202–713–7866 anne.reim@samhsa.hhs.gov CDR Katie Hager, M.S., B.S.N., RN 240–276–1268 katie.hager@samhsa.hhs.gov About Chronic Diseases https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=72da689e88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_26_01_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d5b39b5406-167840245 Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=72da689e88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_26_01_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d5b39b5406-167840245