title: Estimating medically fragile population in storm surge zones: a geographic information system application.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a simple, cost-effective method for determining the size and geographic distribution of medically fragile (MF) individuals at risk from tropical storm surges for use by emergency management planners.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used Geographic Information System (GIS) spatially referenced layers based on secondary data sources from both state and federal levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study setting included the eastern North Carolina coastal counties that would be affected by tropical storm surges.
  
  
  METHODS
  The initial MF population was extrapolated from national estimates for five conditions and then applied to US Census block population. These conditions included insulin dependent diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, end stage renal disease, and patients receiving long-term oxygen treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main outcome of this study was a series of local and regional maps that portrayed the geographic distribution and estimated counts of potentially at-risk MF population from a tropical storm surge scenario.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maps depicting the geographic distribution and potential numbers of MF individuals are important information for planning and preparedness in emergency management and potentially engaging the public.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, USA.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Novick
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D062305:Geographic Mapping; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D035862:Vulnerable Populations