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Economic Vulnerability, Discrimination, and Hurricane Katrina: Health Among Black Katrina Survivors in Eastern New Orleans

College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ; angela.ccchen{at}asu.edu

Verna M. Keith

Sociology and Center for Demography and Population Health, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Chris Airriess

Department of Geography, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

Wei Li

Asian Pacific American Studies & School of Geographical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Karen J. Leong

Asian Pacific American studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

BACKGROUND : Few works have viewed disaster relief in the context of socioeconomic disparity and racial inequality before Katrina. OBJECTIVE: By using the vulnerable-populations conceptual framework, our study aimed to investigate the relationship among economic vulnerability, perceived discrimination, and health outcomes among 69 Black Katrina survivors in Eastern New Orleans. STUDY DESIGN: A mixed-method approach, including survey and focus groups, was applied to collect data. RESULTS: Our findings suggested that a higher level of perceived racial discrimination during Katrina and financial strain post-Katrina were associated with more posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms; support provided by network members served to enhance mental and physical health. Compared with Black males, female survivors reported more PTSD symptoms and worse mental health. CONCLUSIONS : It is imperative for nursing scholars and public policies to directly address the intricacies of race, class, and gender inequality to deliver interventions tailored to meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2007; 13(5), 257-266. DOI: 10.1177/1078390307307260

Key Words: Black • poverty • posttraumatic stress disorder • health-related quality of life • racial discrimination

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Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Vol. 13, No. 5, 257-266 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1078390307307260


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