The Geography of Mental Health and General Wellness in Galveston Bay After Hurricane Ike: A Spatial Epidemiologic Study With Longitudinal Data. (28th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gruebner, Oliver; Lowe, Sarah R.; Tracy, Melissa; Cerdá, Magdalena; Joshi, Spruha; Norris, Fran H.; Galea, Sandro
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 10:Number 2(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2016-01-28
• Subjects: natural disasters, -- geographic mapping, -- mental disorders, -- psychological resilience, -- post-traumatic stress disorders; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2015.172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To demonstrate a spatial epidemiologic approach that could be used in the aftermath of disasters to (1) detect spatial clusters and (2) explore geographic heterogeneity in predictors for mental health and general wellness. Methods: We used a cohort study of Hurricane Ike survivors ( n =508) to assess the spatial distribution of postdisaster mental health wellness (most likely resilience trajectory for posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS] and depression) and general wellness (most likely resilience trajectory for PTSS, depression, functional impairment, and days of poor health) in Galveston, Texas. We applied the spatial scan statistic (SaTScan) and geographically weighted regression. Results: We found spatial clusters of high likelihood wellness in areas north of Texas City and spatial concentrations of low likelihood wellness in Galveston Island. Geographic variation was found in predictors of wellness, showing increasing associations with both forms of wellness the closer respondents were located to Galveston City in Galveston Island. Conclusions: Predictors for postdisaster wellness may manifest differently across geographic space with concentrations of lower likelihood wellness and increased associations with predictors in areas of higher exposure. Our approach could be used to inform geographically targeted interventions to promote mental health and general wellness in disaster-affected communities. ( Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness . 2016;10:261–273)