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01-07-2007 | Original Paper

Health Concerns of Women and Infants in Times of Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina

Authors: William M. Callaghan, Sonja A. Rasmussen, Denise J. Jamieson, Stephanie J. Ventura, Sherry L. Farr, Paul D. Sutton, Thomas J. Mathews, Brady E. Hamilton, Katherine R. Shealy, Dabo Brantley, Sam F. Posner

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 4/2007

Abstract

Pregnant women and infants have unique health concerns in the aftermath of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina. Although exact numbers are lacking, we estimate that approximately 56,000 pregnant women and 75,000 infants were directly affected by the hurricane. Disruptions in the supply of clean water for drinking and bathing, inadequate access to safe food, exposure to environmental toxins, interruption of health care, crowded conditions in shelters, and disruption of public health and clinical care infrastructure posed threats to these vulnerable populations. This report cites the example of Hurricane Katrina to focus on the needs of pregnant women and infants during times of natural disasters and provides considerations for those who plan for the response to these events.

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Title: Health Concerns of Women and Infants in Times of Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina
Authors: William M. Callaghan
Sonja A. Rasmussen
Denise J. Jamieson
Stephanie J. Ventura
Sherry L. Farr
Paul D. Sutton
Thomas J. Mathews
Brady E. Hamilton
Katherine R. Shealy
Dabo Brantley
Sam F. Posner
Publication date: 01-07-2007
Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 4/2007
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-007-0177-4

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Health Concerns of Women and Infants in Times of Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina

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