Discussion 1: Applied Epidemiology
Week 11: Applied Epidemiology Hurricane Katrina
Collapse
Week 11: Applied Epidemiology
Hurricane Katrina
The third deadliest hurricane in the history of the United States is Katrina, with more than 1,800 people losing their lives across
Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana (Hurricane Science, 2020). Louisiana alone approximately evacuated 1.5 million people before the
storm, but an estimated 200,000 individuals stayed through the hurricane (Medicine et al., 2007). Although three states were affected,
Louisiana’s city of New Orleans received the most significant news media coverage because of the death and destruction Hurricane
Katrina caused in that area.
Population Health Issues
The existing floodwaters presented the most critical health issues to the population of New Orleans. The standing water was a
breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the outbreak of West Nile disease, growing mold, and rising endotoxins levels (Frank,
2012). So, people developed illnesses from contaminated food, water, and unsafe housing structures.
Epidemiological Consideration
In the case of Hurricane Katrina, policymaking is essential to ensuring this type of disaster does not happen again. The local and
state governing bodies neglecting to fund repairs caused the levee to break in New Orleans. When budgetary issues significantly
impact policy options (Nash et al., 2019), people can suffer from placing money over doing what is best for the community. Leading to
diseases such as Escherichia coli counts, which were found to be 100 times higher than those typically found in river runoff water in
New Orleans (Barclay, 2005)
Response of the Community and/or Nation
Hurricane Katrina revealed that natural disasters and public health crises are equally crucial as threats to national security and
uncovered The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) incompetence to respond to these disasters (Guidotti, 2006). The
unpreparedness of FEMA left millions of people vulnerable to environmental and health issues. People were left without food, lights,
clean water, and unsafe housing/shelter. The recuse methods were insufficient and unplanned, leaving people in the community to
assist one another.
References
Barclay, L. D. (2005). Epidemiologic consequences of Hurricane Katrina: A newsmaker interview with Raoult Ratard, MD. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/513376
Frank, B. (2012). The health effects of Hurricane Katrina [Case Study]. https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/hurricane_Katrina.html
Guidotti, T. L. (2006). Hurricane Katrina: An American tragedy. Occupational Medicine, 56(4), 222–224. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqj043
Medicine, I. O., Board on Population Health And Public Health Practice, & Research, And Medicine Roundtable On Environmental Health Sciences. (2007). Environmental public health impacts of disasters: Hurricane Katrina: Workshop summary. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54237/
Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J., & Oglesby, W. H. (2019). Policy and advocacy. In Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284205367/cfi/6/2!
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks created a grave disaster that included the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York. The day after 9/11, epidemiologists were asked to assess the environment around Ground Zero for potential hazards that might put those engaged in rescue and recovery at risk of harm. Beside the dust, what toxins might be in the air? Was the air quality safe or should rescue workers wear canister respirators or particle masks? What other protections might be necessary in the days following the disaster?
In this Discussion, you will look at the impact of a disaster through the lens of an epidemiologist, addressing such questions as, “What epidemiological considerations arise in the wake of a disaster? And, what makes disaster planning or emergency preparedness effective in terms of mitigating or preventing negative aftereffects?”
To prepare:
Identify a disaster that led to a population health issue. Consider this disaster through the lens of an epidemiologist, using the information presented in the Learning Resources to examine the epidemiological considerations resulting from the disaster. Conduct additional research as necessary using the Walden Library and credible websites. Ask yourself, “What factors made the community’s and/or nation’s response effective or ineffective? What aspects of disaster planning or emergency preparedness did the community have in place that helped it cope with the disaster and resulting population health issue?”
By Day 3
Post a cohesive scholarly response that addresses the following:
Identify the disaster and resulting population health issue. Describe the epidemiological considerations resulting from this disaster. Support your response with specific examples and evidence from the literature. Discuss the factors that made the community’s and/or nation’s response effective or ineffective.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 5
Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:
Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research. Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives. Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library. Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research. Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings. Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
Order Now
The post NURS 8310 Discussion 1: Applied Epidemiology appeared first on NursingPaperSlayers.
Comments