Rachel Pruchno1, Maureen Wilson-Genderson2, Allison R Heid3, Francine P Cartwright4. 1. New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA. Electronic address: pruchnra@rowan.edu. 2. Statistical Consultant, Short Hills, NJ, USA. Electronic address: mwstat1@verizon.net. 3. Research Consultant, Ardmore, PA, USA. Electronic address: allisonrheid@gmail.com. 4. New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA. Electronic address: cartwright@rowan.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Although the short-term effects of disasters on the physical health of mid-life and older people have been documented, little is understood about the long-term effects that disasters have on the physical health of these people. Based on the environmental docility hypothesis and research regarding gender effects on functional limitations and disaster, our analyses examined the effects of peri-traumatic stress experienced during Hurricane Sandy using longitudinal data from 5688 people aged 50 and older collected over six waves (2006-2019). RESULTS: We found that functional limitations follow three trajectories, with people in each group having a significant linear increase over time and all but the highest functioning people also having a significant quadratic effect, indicating that the linear increase peaked post-Hurricane and then slowed in later waves. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the environmental docility hypothesis, peri-traumatic stress had its greatest impact on people with more functional limitations before the hurricane. Men experiencing peri-traumatic stress during Hurricane Sandy were more likely to experience an increase in functional limitations than women. These findings, which identify people most likely to experience long-term health effects following a disaster, can be used to inform health policies before, during, and after disaster strikes.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Although the short-term effects of disasters on the physical health of mid-life and older people have been documented, little is understood about the long-term effects that disasters have on the physical health of these people. Based on the environmental docility hypothesis and research regarding gender effects on functional limitations and disaster, our analyses examined the effects of peri-traumatic stress experienced during Hurricane Sandy using longitudinal data from 5688 people aged 50 and older collected over six waves (2006-2019). RESULTS: We found that functional limitations follow three trajectories, with people in each group having a significant linear increase over time and all but the highest functioning people also having a significant quadratic effect, indicating that the linear increase peaked post-Hurricane and then slowed in later waves. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the environmental docility hypothesis, peri-traumatic stress had its greatest impact on people with more functional limitations before the hurricane. Men experiencing peri-traumatic stress during Hurricane Sandy were more likely to experience an increase in functional limitations than women. These findings, which identify people most likely to experience long-term health effects following a disaster, can be used to inform health policies before, during, and after disaster strikes.
Authors: Mario Schootman; Elena M Andresen; Fredric D Wolinsky; Theodore K Malmstrom; J Philip Miller; Douglas K Miller Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2006-01-18 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Toru Tsuboya; Jun Aida; Hiroyuki Hikichi; S V Subramanian; Katsunori Kondo; Ken Osaka; Ichiro Kawachi Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2016-05-20 Impact factor: 4.634