MPH’s Schaffner: Hurricane Harvey’s Public Health Impact Extends Beyond Flooding
Since Hurricane Harvey hit Texas on Friday, 10 people have died and many others have been injured and trapped in their flooded houses. But beyond the immediate dangers posed by the flooding, experts are worried about the broader threats to public health. Vulnerable populations, like the homeless, the elderly and the chronically ill, are especially at risk during and in the aftermath of a disaster. Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, comments on 6 public health concerns Texans will face in the days, weeks, and months to come.