Experiences of Hurricane Katrina Evacuees in Houston Shelters: Implications for Future Planning
Mollyann Brodie, PhD,
Erin Weltzien,
Drew Altman, PhD,
Robert J. Blendon, PhD and
John M. Benson, MA
Mollyann Brodie, Drew Altman, and Erin Weltzien are with the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Menlo Park, Calif. Robert J. Blendon and John M. Benson are with the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Mollyann Brodie, PhD, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2400 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (e-mail: mbrodie{at}kff.org).
Objectives. To shed light on how the public health communitycan promote the recovery of Hurricane Katrina victims and protectpeople in future disasters, we examined the experiences of evacueeshoused in Houston area shelters 2 weeks after the hurricane.
Methods. A survey was conducted September 10 through 12, 2005,with 680 randomly selected respondents who were evacuated toHouston from the Gulf Coast as a result of Hurricane Katrina.Interviews were conducted in Red Cross shelters in the greaterHouston area.
Results. Many evacuees suffered physical and emotional stressduring the storm and its aftermath, including going withoutadequate food and water. In comparison with New Orleans andLouisiana residents overall, disproportionate numbers of thisgroup were African American, had low incomes, and had no healthinsurance coverage. Many had chronic health conditions and reliedheavily on the New Orleans public hospital system, which wasdestroyed in the storm.
Conclusions. Our results highlight the need for better plansfor emergency communication and evacuation of low-income anddisabled citizens in future disasters and shed light on choicesfacing policymakers in planning for the long-term health careneeds of vulnerable populations.
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