Perceived Harm to Pet Health Associated with Human Quality of Life After a Public Health Disaster

This study's goal was to evaluate associations of human exposure to unfiltered tap water during the Flint water crisis (FWC) with perceived harm to pets from exposure to contaminated water. We also explored the associations of perceived pet harm with participants' self-reported general, physical, and mental health, as well as quality of life. Adult (n = 3264) pet owners from a public health registry reported unfiltered tap water exposure, perceived pet health, and general health/quality of life at baseline, as well as health/quality of life 1 year later (n = 1172). Using frequencies, percentages, and odds ratios, we evaluated associations of unfiltered tap water consumption with perceived pet health (cross-sectional) and perceived pet health with general health and quality of life (cross-sectional and longitudinal). Daily unfiltered tap water drinkers were 3.12 (95% CI: 2.33-4.23) times more likely to report the FWC had made their pet ill compared to participants who never drank unfiltered water. Participants who reported Flint water made their pet ill had approximately a two-fold increase in odds of reporting poor/fair across all four health/quality-of-life measures compared to those who did not. Both animals and humans were exposed and impacted by the FWC. This study supports the interconnectedness between human and animal health, especially regarding environmental disaster exposure and outcomes.