School of Medicine and Health Sciences Poster Presentations

Health Consequences of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico

Document Type

Poster

Abstract Category

Global Health

Keywords

Health, Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico

Publication Date

Spring 5-1-2019

Abstract

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria impacted Puerto Rico and devastated the island, leaving millions without power or access to clean water or electricity in its aftermath. Puerto Rico is still working to rebuild the damage caused by the storm. Hurricane Maria's impact on the island was profound, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. In the immediate aftermath many individuals were left without electricity, refrigeration, telecommunications, running water, health services, and other necessary services. This literature review aims to describe existing literature pertaining to Hurricane Maria and its health consequences on Puerto Rico since the hurricane impacted the island in September 2017. It was conducted by a systematic search of PubMed and SCOPUS for literature published from 2017 through 2019, using a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria and the PRISMA guidelines. Current literature addresses to varying degrees the effects of Hurricane Maria on: excess mortality, various acute and chronic diseases, and the logistical, environmental, and psychological challenges faced by those in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Several estimates of excess mortality were conducted with a large spread between them, however studies with the most rigorous methodologies put the excess mortality in the thousands. The search criteria were intentionally broad in order to access any literature that addressed the effect that Hurricane Maria had on the health of individuals living in Puerto Rico during and after Hurricane Maria. Even with such broad inclusion criteria, it is clear that many areas need to be further investigated in order to elucidate the health consequences that this devastating natural disaster had on those affected.

Open Access

1

Comments

Presented at Research Days 2019.

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Health Consequences of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria impacted Puerto Rico and devastated the island, leaving millions without power or access to clean water or electricity in its aftermath. Puerto Rico is still working to rebuild the damage caused by the storm. Hurricane Maria's impact on the island was profound, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. In the immediate aftermath many individuals were left without electricity, refrigeration, telecommunications, running water, health services, and other necessary services. This literature review aims to describe existing literature pertaining to Hurricane Maria and its health consequences on Puerto Rico since the hurricane impacted the island in September 2017. It was conducted by a systematic search of PubMed and SCOPUS for literature published from 2017 through 2019, using a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria and the PRISMA guidelines. Current literature addresses to varying degrees the effects of Hurricane Maria on: excess mortality, various acute and chronic diseases, and the logistical, environmental, and psychological challenges faced by those in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Several estimates of excess mortality were conducted with a large spread between them, however studies with the most rigorous methodologies put the excess mortality in the thousands. The search criteria were intentionally broad in order to access any literature that addressed the effect that Hurricane Maria had on the health of individuals living in Puerto Rico during and after Hurricane Maria. Even with such broad inclusion criteria, it is clear that many areas need to be further investigated in order to elucidate the health consequences that this devastating natural disaster had on those affected.