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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Anna Lyn Whitt, LMSW, MPH¹, Jennifer Cofer, MPH, CHES², and Laurie Walters, MS¹. (1) Health Services Data Unit, Mississippi Department of Health, 570 East Woodrow Wilson, Room A-118, Jackson, MS 39215, 601-576-7188, annalyn.whitt@msdh.state.ms.us, (2) American Lung Association of Mississippi, 731 Pear Orchard Rd, Suite 18, Ridgeland, MS 39157

BACKGROUND: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina roared ashore in Mississippi, causing massive damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power, a special challenge for those with Asthma and other lung diseases. Nebulizers and oxygen dispensing equipment that these patients are dependent upon were useless. OBJECTIVES: The Asthma Coalition of Mississippi wanted to achieve the following two objectives: (1) develop infrastructure for future disasters and (2) create a preparedness plan. METHOD: Following Hurricane Katrina, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mississippi Department of Health collected and analyzed data from areas affected by the hurricane and revealed that over 2,700 people needed treatment for respiratory illnesses and of those almost 12% were under the age of five. Because of these numbers and anecdotal stories from volunteers and health professionals in the affected areas, a disaster / emergency preparedness chapter was added to the Statewide Asthma Plan. The plan is intended to apply to all natural disaster and emergency event situations across our state. RESULTS: An Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) for Asthma and Respiratory Illnesses was created and incorporated into the Statewide Asthma Plan. In addition, this plan is designed to be included in and adapted to Emergency Management plans across the state. IMPLICATIONS: Public health professionals can follow the Statewide Asthma Plan lead and create an EPP in other strategic plans. The EPP creates better public health infrastructure as well as the potential for preventing severe morbidity and mortality during an emergent event.

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