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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Antor Ndep Ola, MPH, CHES, Camille Edward, MPH (Candidate), Meshawn Tarver, MPH, Gail Rome, Danielle Broussard, PhD (Candidate), and Jeanette H. Magnus, MD, PhD. School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-4637, aola@tulane.edu

Stress and stress-related disorders in the affected population are the usual by-products of natural disasters. Without appropriate intervention, disaster related stress may lead to increased morbidity and mortality, increased economic insecurity and the disruption of social ties. Hurricane Katrina emphasized that access to resources, or the lack thereof, determines the capacity for coping during evacuation, resettlement and recovery. The ability to effectively cope also correlates with pre-existing socioeconomic status and stressful life events. Public health response to disasters must be explicitly designed to meet the specific needs of vulnerable populations. This session will explore existing literature and guidelines for working with populations affected by a natural disaster, specifically hurricanes. Using focus group research results we will present an assessment of the efficacy of existing methodology for coping within the specific population of women in New Orleans. We will examine the gaps in modalities of care and propose priorities and recommendations specifically for working with women after natural disasters.

Learning Objectives:

• Ÿ Identify the specific resource deprivations endemic to women after a disaster
• Ÿ Discuss options for resource development before and after a disaster
• Ÿ Identify strengths and weaknesses of coping capacity in women
• Ÿ Develop practice recommendations based on stress and hurricane coping literature, focus group research

Keywords: Stress, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 1343.0 kb)