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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kenneth K. H. Chui, MS, MPH¹, Anna Kosheleva, MS¹, Jyotsna Jagai, MS, MPH¹, Denise Castronovo, MS², and Elena Naumova, PhD¹. (1) Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, 617-636-0853, kenneth.chui_kwan_ho@tufts.edu, (2) Mapping Sustainability, Inc, 4324 Blowing Point Place, Jupiter, FL 33458

An increase in gastroenteric infections (GI) associated with microbial contaminations in water supply has been noted during warm and rainy seasons worldwide. Vulnerable populations residing in areas prone to severe rainfall are likely to be exposed to contaminated water and display higher incidence of GI rates. Attempting to document historical status of GI among elderly (≥65yo) in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi, we gathered information from various sources and described GI rates for the two states from 1998 to 2002. We abstracted and aggregated GI counts from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database at the zip code level. Results were geo-merged with Census 2000 data on Zip Code Tabulation Area level (ZCTA) using zip code centroids for annual rate calculation (cases/1000 population) and demographic comparisons. Both states provided information on areas flooded by Katrina. Geographic distribution of GI rates are shown using maps created with ArcInfo 8.3. In the 989 ZCTAs, elderly composed of 13 ± 6% of the population, ranging from 0% to 70%. Seventeen ZCTAs flooded by Katrina in Louisiana had similar percentage of elderly (11% ± 3%, p = 0.15) but higher population density (2600 vs. 200 person/km2, p < 0.001) and larger proportion of African Americans (66% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). Overall GI rates (ICD9: 001 to 009) among ≥65yo were similar between the flooded and non-flooded areas (0.17 vs. 0.25 per 1000 of population ≥65yo, p = 0.10).

Learning Objectives:

• After the session, the participant would be able to understand the predisposition of gastroenteric infections among elderly in Louisiana and Mississippi from 1998 to 2002.

Keywords: Environment, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No