Mortality surveillance: 2004 to 2005 Florida hurricane-related deaths.
During 2004 and 2005, Florida was struck by 8 hurricanes, resulting in 213 deaths. The Department of Health and Florida medical examiners monitor hurricane mortality surveillance. This study analyzed hurricane-related deaths reported by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission for 2004 to 2005. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the Florida hurricane-related mortality for 2004 and 2005, (2) accurately characterize the hurricane-related deaths, and (3) identify strategies to prevent or reduce future hurricane deaths. For 2004, there were 144 total hurricane-related deaths. The majority (59%) occurred in the postimpact phase, with accidents accounting for 76% of deaths. Among these, over half were caused by trauma, followed by drowning, other injury, electrocution, and carbon monoxide poisoning. For 2005, there were 69 hurricane-related deaths. Sixty-one percent of deaths occurred in the postimpact phase, with accidents accounting for 86% of all deaths. Among these, over half were due to trauma, with drowning and carbon monoxide poisoning being the other major contributors. Most hurricane-related deaths are due to unintentional injury and therefore, preventable. Seventy-nine percent of deaths are in those aged 40 and older. Prevention messages should target high-risk, postimpact activities, especially in older adults.
Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service, The Bureau of Epidemiology, and the Office of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA. patricia_ragan@doh.state.fl.us
Patricia
P
Ragan
Joann
J
Schulte
Stephen J
SJ
Nelson
Ken T
KT
Jones
D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*