Disasters and extraordinary situations are critical periods during which access to healthcare services is disrupted for individuals with chronic conditions, and the risk of mortality and complications increases. In situations such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and pandemics, the priority of healthcare systems is often directed toward acute trauma management; meanwhile, the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases may take a back seat. This situation leads to disruptions in treatment continuity, acute exacerbations, and life-threatening complications.

This chapter addresses the fundamental principles of managing chronic diseases during disasters, focusing on early diagnosis, ensuring continuity of care, maintaining access to medications and medical devices, multidisciplinary coordination, and prioritizing vulnerable populations. It emphasizes the central role that primary care physicians play in pre-disaster preparedness, response during the disaster, and post-disaster rehabilitation. Primary care physicians play a significant role in ensuring continuity of care during disasters, as they are intimately familiar with patients’ medical histories, regularly prescribed medications, and biopsychosocial characteristics.

This chapter examines in detail disaster management approaches for diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, dialysis patients, and chronic respiratory diseases; it also addresses the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and cancer patients. Additionally, the importance of disaster preparedness plans, patient education, self-management skills, digital health solutions, and telemedicine applications in chronic disease management is discussed. It is emphasized that the health outcomes of individuals with chronic diseases can be improved during disasters through the implementation of evidence-based and community-based strategies.