The long-term effects of disasters on seniors with diabetes: evidence from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-09/uosf-hei092019.php

News Release 23-Sep-2019
University of South Florida (USF Innovation)

Older individuals and those with chronic conditions are especially at risk following natural disasters. Researchers at the University of South Florida (USF) investigated the short- and long-term effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on older individuals with diabetes. They found those who lived in areas impacted by the 2005 hurricanes had a 40% higher one-month mortality rate than those who lived in unaffected counties. The increased risk persisted even ten years later, at which point the affected individuals had a 6% higher mortality rate.

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