Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jessica Donato, MPH and Rebekah L. Krampf. School of Public Health and Health Services, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, 410-608-8374, rebekah@gwu.edu

At the end of 2003, a total of 15,756 persons were known to be living with HIV/AIDS in the state of Louisiana. Although only 32% of the state's population is black, this group represented 74% of the new HIV cases and 69.4% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases in 2003. While a natural disaster has no deliberate target, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has illustrated that the persistence of social isolation and economic marginalization of such populations will continue to determine communities most susceptible to risk when a natural disaster strikes.

This paper examines the surveillance and epidemiological methods taken to account for these displaced residents of New Orleans since the onset of Hurricane Katrina. In recognition of the AIDS epidemic among New Orleans residents, there inevitably lies an imminent health threat to the displaced victims who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS unraveling into new territories of residence. The public health impact of this analysis hopes to provide insight to more effective strategies for emergency preparedness and response among HIV/AIDS patients.

Recommendations for improvement of current surveillance and response systems include (1) the implementation of electronic medical records to better track care, (2) increased usage of currently available records regarding care to AIDS patients through the ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) and other such programs, (3) increased and improved research, and (4) better coordination among state and federal emergency response agencies to ensure that care for chronic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, are being provided effectively in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify how current disaster response systems in the United States fail to address the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS.
• Analyze the benefits of epidemiologic and surveillance tools in providing care for HIV/AIDS patients.
• Assess how to best implement disaster preparedness with a focus on caring for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered