The Hurricane Katrina Aftermath and Its Impact on Diabetes Care

Observations from “ground zero”: lessons in disaster preparedness of people with diabetes

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the coastal U.S. and one of the most destructive natural disasters to hit the country. As brutal and destructive as the winds and storm surge were, it was the aftermath of this storm that wreaked the greatest havoc. Katrina will continue to have an impact on our daily lives, particularly for those of us who lived and continue to live in the area affected. Clearly the greatest destruction of property from this storm occurred in the New Orleans area, surrounding parishes, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. However, in the aftermath of Katrina, Baton Rouge, the closest major city to the massive destruction and a major route for evacuation, served as the staging area for disaster relief for a number of agencies. In the days immediately after the hurricane, hundreds of thousands of evacuees flooded Baton Rouge, and in this sense, Baton Rouge became “ground zero” for the medical disaster relief effort and nongovernmental organizations. We summarize below our observations on this disaster and suggest that guidelines are needed for health care organizations, health care professionals, and people with chronic diseases like diabetes to have a “plan of action” for major disasters, natural and man made (including terrorist attacks and industrial accidents). Table 1 outlines a potential list of items needed by a person with diabetes for disaster preparedness.

The disruption of a normal routine was particularly difficult for those who had to deal with chronic diseases. Caring for a chronic disease, particularly one such as diabetes, demands significant attention on a daily basis. An individual with diabetes must be certain that supplies of insulin and/or other medications are up to date and available. Individuals must find time to monitor their glucose and, once the value is obtained, make …