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Preparedness, Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and Impact on Health in Puerto Rico
K J Joshipura1,2, M Martínez-Lozano1, P I Ríos-Jiménez1
1Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion, School of Dental Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction : IJDRR
|January 17, 2022
Summary
Low hurricane preparedness significantly increases detrimental health impacts and the risk of developing new non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Improving access to water and maintaining regular diets are crucial for mitigating health consequences after major storms.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Disaster Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Few studies have investigated the direct impact of hurricane preparedness on health outcomes.
- The PREPARE study was designed to address this critical knowledge gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between pre-hurricane preparedness and subsequent health impacts.
- To identify specific factors related to preparedness that influence health outcomes after hurricanes.
Main Methods:
- The study recruited 364 participants from the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study (SOALS) and 125 patients with diabetes from COSSMA in Puerto Rico.
- Participants aged 42-75 years were interviewed 20-34 months post-Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
- Logistic regression was used to analyze associations between self-reported preparedness and health outcomes, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Only 41% of participants reported high pre-hurricane preparedness, with significant gaps in information (25%) and resources (48%).
- Lower preparedness was linked to higher detrimental health impacts (OR=1.96) and increased odds of new non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (OR=2.07).
- Disruptions in drinking water (≥3 months, OR=2.76) and diet changes (due to cooking/refrigeration access, OR=1.96; due to finances/access, OR=2.83) were associated with detrimental health.
Conclusions:
- Lower hurricane preparedness is significantly associated with adverse health effects and marginally with NCD development.
- Future preparedness initiatives should prioritize strategies for managing disruptions in water services and maintaining dietary stability.
- Addressing these specific vulnerabilities can help reduce the negative health consequences of hurricanes.
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