Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Louisiana Health Infrastructure Rebuilding and Recovering

Upon landfall, Hurricanes Katrina & Rita incapacitated a significant number of Louisiana hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Over 786,000 residents and health care professionals were displaced causing a disruption to Louisiana's primary health care delivery structure. Possible disease outbreaks, water contamination, chemical exposure, Special Needs Sheltering and other potential health risks to Louisiana residents warranted the need for Louisiana's Public Health Workforce to respond. Despite preparations made beforehand, the State was faced with the immense challenge of meeting the needs of tens of thousands of victims requiring medical care and assistance with a diminished medical infrastructure. Now, almost two years since the devastation, how is Louisiana continuing to cope? How has the medical infrastructure changed? What new health challenges have emerged for ESF-9 leadership? How have the lessons learned from the 2005 Hurricane Season impacted current planning efforts? During this presentation the learner will hear state leadership provide answers to these tough questions as Louisiana recovers from the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.