Health Crisis for Hurricane Victims
Author Information
Author(s): Burton Adrian, David Abramson
Primary Institution: Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness
Hypothesis
Are displaced families from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita facing long-term health issues due to lack of care?
Conclusion
Displaced families are suffering from chronic health problems and limited access to medical care.
Supporting Evidence
- Over half of the New Orleans population has not returned post-hurricane.
- 34% of children had at least one diagnosed chronic medical condition.
- Nearly half of the children lost their personal doctor after the hurricanes.
- More than two-thirds of mothers may be suffering from depression or anxiety disorders.
- Only 3 of 9 acute care hospitals in New Orleans are operating at full capacity.
Takeaway
Many families affected by Hurricane Katrina are still struggling with health problems and can't get the care they need.
Methodology
Multistage random sampling was used to select households from FEMA housing sites, with interviews conducted about health conditions and access to care.
Limitations
The study may not fully capture the health status of all displaced families due to limited response rates and access.
Participant Demographics
The study included 1,171 adults and 488 children from 820 households in FEMA housing.
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