title: Displacement of the underserved: medical needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in West Virginia.
abstract: On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. During the aftermath of the storm, hurricane victims were evacuated to over 1,000 evacuation centers in 27 states. Three-hundred and twenty-three evacuees from 220 households were provided housing, food, and medical care at an evacuation center in West Virginia. A needs assessment followed to identify current needs of the evacuees. One-hundred and sixty-four evacuees were interviewed. Twenty-five percent reported an acute illness, while 46% reported having at least one chronic medical condition. The greatest need reported was for dental care (57%), followed by eyeglasses (34%), dentures (28%), and medical services (25%). Two weeks after the hurricane, the basic needs of food, shelter, and hygiene were met. The assessment identified and led to a successful response regarding the ongoing need for durable medical equipment (dentures and eyeglasses), as well as dental care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. DVN7@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Marilyn L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ridenour
authors.forename: Kristin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Julie R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Danae
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bixler
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003729:Dental Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004190:Disasters; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014903:West Virginia