Hurricanes and anomie: Effects on local governance and population health in a Florida community

Background: The effects of hurricane Wilma that struck South Florida in 2005 were analyzed using the framework of anomie. Durkheim's theory of anomie posits that in times of rapid social change (e.g., revolution, war, invasion, and other disasters) established social bonds are loosened and mainstream norms no longer serve to control human behavior. When rules are lacking or unclear, anomie develops with persons disengaged from the system exhibiting systematic behavior patterns that contravene mainstream norms and/or experiencing feelings of psychological disorientation. This results in social disorganization, with poor governance and decreases in population health.

Methods: We analyzed the impact of Wilma on local governance and population health within a community in South Florida, using public information, official records, statements from key informants in public positions speaking in public forums, government statistical data, and observational techniques on historical events in a natural experiment, including information on damage to the built environment and attempts at reconstruction, information on local elections and associated community political action, and crime, morbidity and mortality statistics.

Results: Increased social disorganization, as evidenced by poor governance, social strife, and decreased levels of population physical and mental health, was found in the two-year post-Wilma period. Key time/event points marking progressive changes in community relations and population health were identified along the continuum of increased social disorganization and its markers.

Discussion/ Conclusions: The relationship between local governance and community health is discussed. In addition, we discuss using key time/event points as a potential nexus for intervention to mitigate negative consequences of a natural disaster on local governance and population health.