The Impact of Natural Hazards on Older Adult Health: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Autor:	Andrade EL; Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA., Jula M; Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA., Rodriguez-Diaz CE; Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA., Lapointe L; Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA., Edberg MC; Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA., Rivera MI; Rivera Group, Washington, DC, USA., Santos-Burgoa C; Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Disaster medicine and public health preparedness [Disaster Med Public Health Prep] 2021 Nov 02; Vol. 17, pp. e52. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 02.
DOI:	10.1017/dmp.2021.305
Abstrakt:	Objective: With natural hazards increasing in frequency and severity and global population aging, preparedness efforts must evolve to address older adults' risks in disasters. This study elucidates potential contributors to the elevated older adult mortality risk following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico through an examination of community stakeholder preparedness, response, and recovery experiences. Methods: In April 2018, qualitative interviews (n = 22) were conducted with stakeholders in 7 Puerto Rican municipalities. Interview transcripts were deductively and inductively coded and analyzed to identify salient topics and themes representing participant response patterns. Results: The hurricane's detrimental impact on older adult health emerged as a prominent finding. Through 6 months post-hurricane, many older adults experienced unmet needs that contributed to declining physical and emotional health, inadequate non-communicable disease management, social isolation, financial strain, and excess morbidity and mortality. These needs were predominantly consequences of lengthy public service gaps, unsafe living conditions, interrupted health care, and the incongruence between preparedness and event severity. Conclusions: In a landscape of increasing natural hazard frequency and magnitude, a pattern of older adult risk has become increasingly clear. Study findings compel practitioners to engage in natural hazard preparedness planning, research, and policy-making that considers the multiple facets of older adult well-being.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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