title: Impacts of the 2010 Haitian earthquake in the diaspora: findings from Little Haiti, Miami, FL.
abstract: In January 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti resulting in unprecedented damage. Little attention, however, has focused on the earthquake's mental health impact in the Haitian diaspora community. As part of an established community-based participatory research initiative in Little Haiti, the predominately Haitian neighborhood in Miami, FL, USA, community health workers conducted surveys with neighborhood residents about earthquake-related losses, coping strategies, and depressive/traumatic symptomology. Findings reveal the earthquake strongly impacted the diaspora community and highlights prominent coping strategies. Following the earthquake, only a small percentage of participants self-reported engaging in any negative health behaviors. Instead, a majority relied on their social networks for support. This study contributes to the discourse on designing culturally-responsive mental health initiatives for the Haitian diaspora and the ability of existing community-academic partnerships to rapidly adapt to community needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL 33136, USA. ekobetz@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobetz
authors.forename: Janelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menard
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kish
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hazan
authors.forename: Guerda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicolas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006205:Haiti / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires