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Related Experiment Videos

Morbidity on Kauai before and after Hurricane Iniki

L A Hendrickson1, R L Vogt, D Goebert

  • 1Iniki Response Project, Hawaii Department of Health, Honolulu 96813, USA.

Preventive Medicine
|November 5, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Hurricane Iniki significantly increased injuries and illnesses, including asthma and cardiovascular disease, in Kauai. This highlights the need for enhanced disaster preparedness in rural communities.

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Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Disaster Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hurricane Iniki, a Category III/IV storm, impacted Kauai directly on September 11, 1992.
  • This study represents the first population-wide assessment of health outcomes following a hurricane.
  • The research focuses on an entire population within the hurricane's direct impact zone.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the increase in injuries and other health conditions after Hurricane Iniki.
  • To compare health outcome incidence in the immediate post-hurricane period versus the pre-hurricane period.
  • To evaluate the impact of a major natural disaster on a rural community's health services.

Main Methods:

  • Medical chart data were collected from all Kauai healthcare facilities.

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  • Incidence of injury, cardiovascular disease, and asthma were analyzed for two-week periods before and after the hurricane.
  • Relative risks and confidence intervals were calculated to assess the significance of changes.

    • Main Results:

    • A substantial increase in injuries was observed, with 1,584 cases post-Iniki compared to 231 pre-Iniki (Relative Risk = 6.86).
    • Open wounds accounted for over half of all injuries.
    • Significant increases in physician visits for asthma (RR=2.81) and cardiovascular disease (RR=2.73) were also recorded.

    Conclusions:

    • Hurricane Iniki led to significant rises in injuries, asthma, and cardiovascular disease incidence.
    • While hospitalization rates remained unchanged, the surge in conditions strained medical facilities.
    • Disaster preparedness plans must address augmenting services and supplies for rural medical facilities post-disaster.