scholarly journals Physical Health Symptoms and Hurricane Katrina: Individual Trajectories of Development and Recovery More Than a Decade After the Storm

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-135
Author(s):  
Meghan Zacher ◽  
Ethan J. Raker ◽  
Mariana C. Arcaya ◽  
Sarah R. Lowe ◽  
Jean Rhodes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Back Problems ◽  
Low Income Mothers

Objectives. To examine how physical health symptoms developed and resolved in response to Hurricane Katrina. Methods. We used data from a 2003 to 2018 study of young, low-income mothers who were living in New Orleans, Louisiana, when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 (n = 276). We fit logistic regressions to model the odds of first reporting or “developing” headaches or migraines, back problems, and digestive problems, and of experiencing remission or “recovery” from previously reported symptoms, across surveys. Results. The prevalence of each symptom increased after Hurricane Katrina, but the odds of developing symptoms shortly before versus after the storm were comparable. The number of traumatic experiences endured during Hurricane Katrina increased the odds of developing back and digestive problems just after the hurricane. Headaches or migraines and back problems that developed shortly after Hurricane Katrina were more likely to resolve than those that developed just before the storm. Conclusions. While traumatic experiences endured in disasters such as Hurricane Katrina appear to prompt the development of new physical symptoms, disaster-induced symptoms may be less likely to persist or become chronic than those emerging for other reasons.

scholarly journals The impact of Hurricane Katrina on the mental and physical health of low-income parents in New Orleans.

2010 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Rhodes ◽  
Christian Chan ◽  
Christina Paxson ◽  
Cecilia Elena Rouse ◽  
Mary Waters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

scholarly journals Internalized Stigma and Stigma-Related Isolation Predict Women’s Psychological Distress and Physical Health Symptoms Post-Abortion

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisling T. O’Donnell ◽  
Tara O’Carroll ◽  
Natasha Toole
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Reproductive Rights ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Internalized Stigma ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
Post Abortion

Researchers have provided evidence that accessing abortion relates to anticipated, experienced, and internalized stigma. These aspects of stigma have previously been associated with increased psychological distress and physical health symptoms. However, there has been no research on how anticipation, perception, internalization, and stigma-related isolation are related to psychological distress and somatic (physical) symptoms. We examined this question in an online volunteer sample of women in Ireland ( N = 155) who have had an abortion. Internalized stigma and stigma-related isolation significantly predicted higher levels of psychological distress, and internalized stigma also significantly predicted somatic symptoms. The direct effect of each type of stigma on somatic symptoms was mediated by psychological distress. Thus, to the extent that women had internalized greater stigma and isolated themselves, they also reported increased psychological distress, and this psychological distress predicted increased somatic symptoms. The relation between internalized stigma and somatic symptoms was also moderated by stigma-related isolation. Our findings complement and extend the existing literature on the relations between stigmatized identities, psychological distress, and physical health problems, particularly regarding women who have accessed abortion. They also indicate that those involved in policy-making and activism around reproductive rights should avoid inadvertently increasing the stigma surrounding abortion.

Disease and treatment characteristics of breast cancer in an urban, low-income hospital following a major hurricane: A temporal and racial analysis.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e12503-e12503
Author(s):  
Naomi Gadinsky ◽  
Melissa Lina Keeport ◽  
Adeline Jae Hyun Shin ◽  
Sudesh Srivastav ◽  
Rebecca Kruse-Jarres
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Menopausal Status ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Stage Iv Breast Cancer ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

e12503 Background: The Medical Center of Louisiana, New Orleans (MCLNO) serves a metropolitan area and is the only hospital delivering care to the indigent population in the area. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans on 8/29/05. No oncology services were available for two years. We examined characteristics/care for patients with breast cancer 2 years after re-opening clinics compared with the subsequent 2.5 years. Differences between Whites (W) and African Americans (AA) were examined and compared to state and national averages. Methods: After IRB approval, we reviewed charts of patients establishing care for breast cancer at MCLNO between 09/07-05/12: Group 1 (09/07-08/09) vs. Group 2 (09/09 – 05/12). Racial analysis was done between W and AA independent of temporal factors. Results: Our cohort included 153 patients (25 W, 105 AA , and 23 other race): Group 1- 68 patients, Group 2- 85. There were no significant temporal or racial differences in age, race, insurance, menopausal status, family history, cancer type, stage, or treatment regimen. More AA were triple negative (25.5% AA, 0% W; p= 0.002). Compared to state and national averages, our patients underwent more mastectomies: 58% mastectomy (M) and 42% lumpectomy (L) - compared to Louisiana (M - 50.7%, L - 48.7%) and the National (M - 42.0%, L - 57.8%) data. Our cohort presented with more advanced disease: 10.5% presented with stage IV breast cancer, which is higher than the state average (6.0%) and the national average (5.5%). Conclusions: Despite the suspicion that tumor presentation would be worse after a delay in access to care due to Katrina and that AA might have even worse characteristics, our data showed this not to be the case. Interesting was the finding that triple negative cancers seemed to be an AA phenomenon. It is important to continue following these patients to see how these presenting and prognostic factors will affect long term patient outcomes. [Table: see text]

Physical health symptoms among Ethiopian returnees who were trafficked aboard

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lemma Derseh Gezie ◽  
Asmamaw Atinafu
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
P Value ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Stomach Pain

Abstract Background: There is a growing thought of considering human trafficking as a severe form of violence which usually results in various health outcomes including symptoms of physical health problems. Physical health symptoms could at least compromise victims’ future quality of life and productivity, and to the worst, it might be life threatening to them. This study examined the magnitude of physical health symptoms during the trafficking period and compared it with that of the period prior to the trafficking condition. Methods : A total of 1387 trafficking returnees from abroad via three trafficking corridors of Ethiopia were recruited consecutively. Among socio-demographic and other characteristics, data regarding physical health symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, memory problems, back pain, tooth pain, injuries, vision problem, loss of appetite that were experienced during and prior to the trafficking period were collected. The proportions of physical health symptoms experienced during and prior to trafficking period were determined and compared using chi-square test. Results: Among all participants, 598 (46.79%) of them experienced weight loss during the trafficking period while it was only 106 (8.28%) before the trafficking period. The 38.50% extra prevalence of the problem that was experienced during the trafficking period was statistically significant (p< 0.0001). Similar significant differences were observed for symptoms such as forgetfulness (p < 0.0001), stomachache (p = 0.0039), gynecological problems (p = 0.041), bone fracture (p < 0.0001), back pain (p < 0.0001), and wound (p < 0.0001); but not significantly different for symptoms such as skin disease (p-value = 0.1944), tooth pain (p-value =0.6587), sight problem (p-value = 0.1306), and breathing problem (p=value = 0.3173). Conclusions: Returnees experienced higher rate of physical health symptoms during the trafficking period than that of pre-departure period confirming that violence and subsequent health problems are signature features of human trafficking. These negative health outcomes need to be investigated using longitudinal studies so that the long-term effects of human trafficking and associated traumatic experiences could be fully understood among the returnees.

scholarly journals Lessons from Hurricane Katrina for predicting the indirect health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (23) ◽  
pp. 12595-12597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan J. Raker ◽  
Meghan Zacher ◽  
Sarah R. Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Access To Medical Care ◽  
Indirect Impacts ◽  
Low Income Mothers ◽  
A Prospective Study

Beyond their immediate effects on mortality, disasters have widespread, indirect impacts on mental and physical well-being by exposing survivors to stress and potential trauma. Identifying the disaster-related stressors that predict health adversity will help officials prepare for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using data from a prospective study of young, low-income mothers who survived Hurricane Katrina, we find that bereavement, fearing for loved ones’ well-being, and lacking access to medical care and medications predict adverse mental and physical health 1 y postdisaster, and some effects persist 12 y later. Adjusting for preexisting health and socioeconomic conditions attenuates, but does not eliminate, these associations. The findings, while drawn from a demographically unique sample, suggest that, to mitigate the indirect effects of COVID-19, lapses in medical care and medication use must be minimized, and public health resources should be directed to those with preexisting medical conditions, their social networks, and the bereaved.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document