A rapid needs assessment of the rockaway peninsula in New York city after hurricane sandy and the relationship of socioeconomic status to recovery

S. Subaiya, C. Moussavi, A. Velasquez and J. Stillman

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue 4, 632-638

Abstract: Objectives.We conducted a rapid needs assessment in the Rockaway Peninsula- one of the areas of New York City most severely affected by Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012-to assess basic needs and evaluate for an association between socioeconomic status (SES) and storm recovery. Methods. Weconducted a cross-sectional surveywithin the Rockaways 3 weeks after the hurricane made landfall to elicit information regarding basic utilities, food access, health, relief-effort opinions, and SES. We used a modified cluster sampling method to select households with a goal of 7 to 10 surveys per cluster. Results. Thirty to fifty percent of households were without basic utilities including electricity, heat, and telephone services. Lower-income households were more likely to worry about food than higher-income households (odds ratio = 4.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.43, 15.23; P = .01). A post-storm trend also existed among the lower-income group towards psychological disturbances. Conclusions. Storm preparation should include disseminating information regarding carbon monoxide and proper generator use, considerations for prescription refills, neighborhood security, and location of food distribution centers. Lower-income individuals may have greater difficulty meeting their needs following a natural disaster, and recovery efforts may include prioritization of these households.

Keywords: adult; aged; article; catering service; cross-sectional study; disaster; disaster planning; family size; female; human; hurricane; income; male; methodology; middle aged; needs assessment; socioeconomics; statistics; United States; very elderly; young adult, Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cyclonic Storms; Disaster Planning; Disasters; Family Characteristics; Female; Food Supply; Humans; Income; Male; Middle Aged; Needs Assessment; New York City; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301668_9

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301668

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