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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Donna Elaine Smith, MSPH¹, Michael Kennedy, MGA, MPH, CHES², Wanda Locklear, BSN, MSOM³, Sara Zimmerman, MPH¹, and Charisse Jenkins, MSPH¹. (1) Epidemiology Program, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 29730, 704-336-6425, Donna.E.Smith@carolinas.org, (2) Administrative Core Services, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, (3) Communicable Disease Program, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 700 North Tryon Street, Suite 272, Charlotte, NC 28202

On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, a category 4 hurricane, made landfall near New Orleans, Louisiana. Several levees protecting New Orleans from Lake Pontchartrain were breached flooding over 80% of the city. Thousands of Louisiana residents were displaced and countless persons were killed following the devastating storms impact. On September 6, 2005 hundreds of New Orleans residents were relocated to the Charlotte Coliseum in North Carolina. Public health officials, medical personnel and relief organizations in Charlotte were faced with the overwhelming task of providing medical, financial and emotional support for the evacuees. While adequate medical staffing at the Coliseum ensured that critical needs were met, little was known about the population's mental health or long-term service needs. Research was needed to guide response efforts and direct relief interventions for the Katrina Evacuees. Within 48 hours of their arrival, Mecklenburg County Health Department activated its Epi-Preparedness Team to conduct a rapid health and needs assessment for Katrina Evacuees. The Rapid Health Assessment Tool provided a list of unmet medical and service needs giving local officials a framework for relief efforts and decision-making. Findings from the Rapid Health Assessment Tool indicated that Hurricane Katrina Evacuees were most concerned with locating housing for themselves and families, replacing documents of identification (birth certificates and driver's licenses), replacing eyeglasses and obtaining assistance accessing government benefits programs. Communicating these results to local and state public health officials improved the coordination of response efforts and provided an effective plan for assistance.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the process of conducting a rapid needs assessment for Hurricane Katrina Evacuees.
• Identify the needs of Hurricane Katrina Evacuees and subsequent response efforts launched by public health and emergency operations officials.

Keywords: Needs Assessment,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered