The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61368

Ken F. Fowler, PhD, Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, PO Box 4200, St. John's, NF A1B 3X9, Canada, 1(709) 737-4897, kenfowler@mail.gov.nf.ca

This study explored the impact of the Atlantic Canadian groundfish moratorium on the health and social wellness of affected communities. It demonstrates how statistical profiling can integrate with, and inform qualitative approaches thus allowing a broader understanding of resident responses to community crisis.

A quantitative study was initially conducted to examine trends in community demographics, cause and age-specific mortality and hospital morbidity rates, youth perceptions of the quality of school life, and rates associated with various types of crime over several years prior to, and following the fishery closure. A qualitative study was subsequently conducted which involved individual and group interviews with community residents from communities in which differences (in terms of the profile statistics) were observed. Analyses of mortality and hospital morbidity rates, and crime statistics suggested negative community responses had occurred following the fishery closure. However, student perceptions of the quality of school life improved significantly following the moratorium suggesting that education may be perceived as the primary means of securing better futures.

Using the concept of social capital, it was observed that the community demonstrating poorer adaptation to the moratorium (as indexed through the statistical measures in stage 1) also showed negative alterations in the social and political character of their community which may have compromised its capacity to cope with the crisis, and translated into detriments in resident wellness.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• utilize community geographic codes common in Federal/provincial administrative databases to assemble and integrate health, demographic, education and crime statistics in order to explore the impact of community crises on residents 2)use community-level statistical profiling to integrate with, and inform qualitative approaches thus allowing a broader understanding of resident responses to community crisis

Keywords: Community Response, Community Health Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.