Both disasters and catastrophes are the result of one or more hazards coming into contact with humans in a vulnerable position. (Mileti, 1999) A row of beachfront condominiums along the Gulf Coast of the United States is an example of a disaster waiting to happen. If the condominiums were not there and the beach was in a natural state when a hurricane hits there would be no disasters or catastrophes because humans would not be affected. Although the characteristics of disasters and catastrophes have many differences, the thing they have in common is that they both require the ingredients of not only a natural hazard but also that the hazard intersects with humans. Natural hazards are intrinsically part of the planet's environment. Earth. Blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes are among a long list of natural processes and events over which humans have no control. Mileti argues that it is time for humans to recognize our part in the equation; we have overdeveloped and overpopulated in risk areas and the consequences of such decisions and actions have put us in danger: our exposure has increased, we are more vulnerable (Mileti, 1999, p. 35). McEntire (2007) described a point of intervention in the context of a disaster as “proactive steps”, taken in each of the four phases of emergency management (EM) that will minimize impacts on humans. Due to the extreme consequences of disasters, intervention points must be used by all levels of government and all stakeholders (i.e. private, public and non-profit). Health status and medical capacity are an obvious example of an intervention point that can be considered at each stage of the EM cycle; mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. During m...... mid article ......07) and others advocate working with nature and its processes instead of fighting them and using sustainable, holistic designs to reduce our vulnerability. Some measures may be unpopular, such as limiting land use along fragile coastlines, but the long-term benefits must be weighed. It is a question of what needs to be done for the good of the majority versus what some want to do for their own benefit. References: McEntire, D. A. (2007). Disaster response and recovery: Strategies and tactics for resilience. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley & Sons, Inc. Mileti, D. S. (1999). Disasters by design: A reassessment of natural hazards in the United States. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press Redlener, I., M.D. (2006). Americans at risk: Why we're not prepared for megadisasters and what we can do about it. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.