Post a thread that identifies two areas of vulnerability (processes or subpopulations) during a natural or man-made disaster, citing historical or contemporary examples.

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Assignment

 Post a thread that identifies two areas of vulnerability (processes or subpopulations) during a natural or man-made disaster, citing historical or contemporary examples.

AMA style formatting, in-text referencing and reference section is required 

instructions:

 For each forum, post a thread in response to the topic prompt provided. Your thread must contain  at least 400 words. This limit promotes writing that is thorough yet concise enough to permit your peers to read all the posts. Each thread must adhere to current AMA writing guidelines, and any references included in the thread must be formatted in current AMA style. Since this is a personal discussion, you are allowed to use first person perspective; however, you 

must maintain professional decorum in all your posts.  

FLINT WATER CRISIS

COLLAPSE

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In 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, merely as a cost saving measure, changed the water supply source from Lake Huron in Detroit, Michigan to the Flint River1,2.  Corrosion-control treatments required by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule were discontinued.  As a result, the water reaching consumers was 19 times more corrosive than before the switch2.  The more corrosive water readily dissolved metals to include lead. 

Children and low-income individuals in this population were most vulnerable.  Children were vulnerable in this switch because of their ability to quickly absorb ingested lead.  Children are also more vulnerable because the development of the central nervous system is easily disturbed resulting in cognitive and behavioral abnormalities.  The burden of childhood lead poisoning has been most prevelant in economically disadvantaged populations.  4 in 10 families in Flint, MI live below the poverty line, unemployment rates are high and majority of the population is Black2.  This disadvantaged population is more likely to live in housing that is in poor repair with walls covered in lead paint, in neighborhoods with soil and dust lead concentrations, and with nutritional deficiencies that increase lead absorption.    The disadvantaged population usually has limited access to healthy foods hence nutritional deficiencies.  In a study performed in 2014-2015 on African-American women’s perceptions of food access in Flint, MI, most women deemed access to healthy foods as a barrier.  Most reported a lack of stores within walking distance, lack of good-quality foods, and poor service/discrimination.  5 large grocery stores closed in the city and within a 3 mile radius outside the city3.  Eatright.org recommends a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and calcium, iron, and Vitamin C rich foods.  Healthy food makes it more difficult for lead to be absorbed in the body4.  This is near impossible for certain populations in Flint.  If the person of power who ordered the switch would have considered all the consequences of the switch including the potential health damages, this social crime/man-made disaster could have been prevented.  The event will hopefully cause state officials to consider how social and environmental changes can effect public health.

1.  Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) After the Flint Water Crisis.  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/flintwater/CASPER_Report_540077_7.pdf.  Accessed December 18, 2017.

2.  Bellinger D.  Lead Contamination in Flint–An Abject Failure to Protect Public Health.  The New England Journal of Medicine.  2016:374(12):1101-1103.

3.  Mayfield K, Carolan M, Weatherspoon L, Chung K, Hoerr S.  African American Women’s Perceptions on Access to Food and Water in Flint, Michigan.  Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.  2017:49(6):519-524.

4.  How to Fight Lead Exposure with Nutrition.  http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/wellness/preventing-illness/how-to-fight-lead-exposure-with-nutrition.  Accessed December 18, 2017.         

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Discussion Board 3 – Week 8

COLLAPSE

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The subpopulation of individuals who suffer from a mental health illness become even more vulnerable during a natural or a man-made disaster. These individuals may also be the cause of man-made disasters, such as the Virginia Tech massacre (2007), the collapse of the World Trade Center after a terrorist attack (2001) and the Charleston Church massacre (2015).1,2,3 Each of these events, as do all man-made disasters, had a devastating impact on the public’s health.2 Individuals who have a preexisting mental health illness prior to the disaster taking place are more at risk for their mental health to decline more as an affect. Due to the disasters being a traumatic experience, individuals may experience stress, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder and they may turn to substance abuse to deal with the psychological issues.2 Due to these issues arising within individuals following the disaster, it causes stress on the community relations meaning that as a part of the recovery efforts needs to include the rebuilding of social networks and the health of the overall community.2

 Natural disasters often occur suddenly; leaving little time for planning.2 These place individuals in lower socioeconomic status more at risk of serious injury or death as a result. Individuals within this subpopulation may not have the resources needed to evacuate or to even stay safe while enduring the storm. Individuals that are within the lower socioeconomic class are more likely to live in homes that are more vulnerable to the impact from the disasters, which may also lead to lack of housing access following the storm.4 Hurricane Katrina hit the United States in 2005, named by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the single most catastrophic natural disaster in US history.5 The storm claimed 1,833 lives and the damages totaled 108 billion dollars.5 Studies conducted on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on different socioeconomic statuses showed that 30% of the moderate to severe damage reported was from individuals living in poverty.4

Disasters, whether natural or man-made, take a toll on communities as a whole; and it takes a community to come together following the event to rebuild. “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you are perfectly united in mind and thought.” I Corinthians 1:106

References

1. Niles NJ. Basics of the US health care system. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning; 2014.

2. Shi L, Johnson JA. Novick & Morrow’s Public health administration principles for population-based management. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning; 2014.

3. Horowitz J, Corasaniti N, Southall A. Nine Killed in Shooting at Black Church in Charleston. New York Times. 2015. Available athttps://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/18/us/church-attacked-in-charleston-south-carolina.html. Last accessed December 17, 2017.

4. Greater Impact: How Disasters Affect People of Low Socioeconomic Status. SAMHSA. Available at https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dtac/srb-low-ses_2.pdf. Published July 2017. Accessed December 18, 2017.

5. Hurricane Katrina Statistics Fast Facts. CNN. Available at http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/us/hurricane-katrina-statistics-fast-facts/index.html. Published August 28, 2017. Accessed December 18, 2017.

6. The Holy Bible. The English Standard Version. Available at https://www.esv.org/. Last Accessed December 18, 2017.

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