The impact of Hurricane Maria on individuals living with non-communicable disease in Puerto Rico: the experience of 10 communities

Authors

Elizabeth L. Andrade, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Washington, D.C, NW, 20052, USA. elandrade@gwu.edu.
Amalis Cordova, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Washington, D.C, NW, 20052, USA.
Courtney Riggle-van Schagen, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Washington, D.C, NW, 20052, USA.
Megan Jula, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Washington, D.C, NW, 20052, USA.
Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Washington, D.C, NW, 20052, USA.
M Ivonne Rivera, Rivera Group, 8206 17th Avenue, Hyattsville, MD, 20783, USA.
Carlos Santos-Burgoa, Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, D.C, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

11-15-2022

Journal

BMC public health

Volume

22

Issue

1

DOI

10.1186/s12889-022-14552-4

Keywords

Disasters; Hurricane; Impact; Natural hazards; Non-communicable disease; Puerto Rico

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coinciding with the rising non-communicable disease (NCD) prevalence worldwide is the increasing frequency and severity of natural hazards. Protecting populations with NCDs against natural hazards is ever more pressing given their increased risk of morbidity and mortality in disaster contexts. This investigation examined Hurricane Maria's impacts across ten lower SES municipalities in Puerto Rico with varying community characteristics and hurricane impacts to understand experiences of supporting individuals with NCD management in the six-month period following the hurricane. METHODS: We conducted 40 qualitative interviews with mayors, first responders, faith leaders, community leaders, and municipal employees from 10 municipalities in Puerto Rico. Using QSR NVivo software, we deductively and inductively coded interview transcripts and undertook thematic analysis to characterize community-level hurricane impact and consequences for NCD management, and to identify convergent and divergent themes. RESULTS: Damages to infrastructure, including healthcare facilities and roadways, complicated the provision of timely health care for NCDs, patient transport, and pharmaceutical/medical supply chain continuity. Lengthy power outages at both healthcare facilities and private residences were barriers to healthcare service delivery, use of medical equipment, and storage of prescription medications with refrigeration, and led to a widespread mental health crisis. Cascading failures such as fuel shortages further compounded these challenges. The consequences of these impacts included the reported exacerbation of health conditions and loss of life among NCD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings identify contributors to morbidity and mortality among individuals with NCDs following Hurricane Maria. With the growing frequency of catastrophic disasters from natural hazards, the experiences of communities that endured these impacts offer important lessons regarding policies and practices to better support community disaster resilience and address the evolving preparedness needs of NCD patients.

APA Citation

Andrade, Elizabeth L.; Cordova, Amalis; Schagen, Courtney Riggle-van; Jula, Megan; Rodriguez-Diaz, Carlos E.; Rivera, M Ivonne; and Santos-Burgoa, Carlos, "The impact of Hurricane Maria on individuals living with non-communicable disease in Puerto Rico: the experience of 10 communities" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1933.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1933

Department

Prevention and Community Health