Mollyann Brodie ^1*, Erin Weltzien ¹, Drew Altman ¹, Robert J. Blendon ², John M. Benson ²

¹ Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
² Harvard School of Public Health

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mbrodie{at}kff.org.

	Abstract

OBJECTIVE To shed light on how the public health community can promote the recovery of Hurricane Katrina victims and protect people in future disasters, we present the experiences of evacuees living in Houston area shelters two weeks after the hurricane. METHODS A survey was conducted September 10 through September 12, 2005 with 680 randomly selected respondents who were evacuated to Houston from the Gulf Coast as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Interviews were conducted in Red Cross shelters in the greater Houston area. RESULTS Many evacuees suffered physical and emotional stresses during the storm and its aftermath, including going without food and water. In comparison with New Orleans and Louisiana residents overall, disproportionate numbers of this group were African American, low-income, and had no health insurance coverage. Many had chronic health conditions, and relied heavily on the New Orleans' public hospital system, which was destroyed in the storm. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the need for better plans for emergency communication and evacuation of low-income and disabled citizens in future disasters and sheds light on choices facing policymakers in planning for the long-term health care needs of a vulnerable population.

Key Words: Health Policy, Public Health Practice, Surveys, Urban Health

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