Tracy Barreau1, David Conway1, Karen Haught1, Rebecca Jackson1, Richard Kreutzer1, Andrew Lockman1, Sharon Minnick1, Rachel Roisman1, David Rozell1, Svetlana Smorodinsky1, Dana Tafoya1, Jason A Wilken1. 1. At the time of these assessments, Tracy Barreau, Rebecca Jackson, Richard Kreutzer, Rachel Roisman, Svetlana Smorodinsky, and Jason A. Wilken were with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Richmond. David Conway and Dana Tafoya were with the Mariposa County Health Department (MCHD), Mariposa, CA. Karen Haught, Andrew Lockman, Sharon Minnick, and David Rozell were with the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency (TCHHSA), Visalia, CA. Jason A. Wilken was also with the Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate health impacts of drought during the most severe drought in California's recorded history with a rapid assessment method. METHODS: We conducted Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response during October through November 2015 in Tulare County and Mariposa County to evaluate household water access, acute stressors, exacerbations of chronic diseases and behavioral health issues, and financial impacts. We evaluated pairwise associations by logistic regression with pooled data. RESULTS: By assessment area, households reported not having running water (3%-12%); impacts on finances (25%-39%), property (39%-54%), health (10%-20%), and peace of mind (33%-61%); worsening of a chronic disease (16%-46%); acute stress (8%-26%); and considering moving (14%-34%). Impacts on finances or property were each associated with impacts on health and peace of mind, and acute stress. CONCLUSIONS: Drought-impacted households might perceive physical and mental health effects and might experience financial or property impacts related to the drought. Public Health Implications. Local jurisdictions should consider implementing drought assistance programs, including behavioral health, and consider rapid assessments to inform public health action.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate health impacts of drought during the most severe drought in California's recorded history with a rapid assessment method. METHODS: We conducted Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response during October through November 2015 in Tulare County and Mariposa County to evaluate household water access, acute stressors, exacerbations of chronic diseases and behavioral health issues, and financial impacts. We evaluated pairwise associations by logistic regression with pooled data. RESULTS: By assessment area, households reported not having running water (3%-12%); impacts on finances (25%-39%), property (39%-54%), health (10%-20%), and peace of mind (33%-61%); worsening of a chronic disease (16%-46%); acute stress (8%-26%); and considering moving (14%-34%). Impacts on finances or property were each associated with impacts on health and peace of mind, and acute stress. CONCLUSIONS: Drought-impacted households might perceive physical and mental health effects and might experience financial or property impacts related to the drought. Public Health Implications. Local jurisdictions should consider implementing drought assistance programs, including behavioral health, and consider rapid assessments to inform public health action.
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