Skip Navigation
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Use this QR code to view the newest version of this document
Use this QR code to view the newest version of this document

Your Environment. Your Health.

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Mobilizing mobile medical units for hurricane relief: The United States Public Health Service and Broward County Health Department response to hurricane Wilma, Broward County, Florida

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Author(s):
Taylor MM, Stokes WS, Bajuscak R, Serdula M, Siegel KL, Griffin B, Keiser J, Agate L, Kite-Powell A, Roach D, Humbert N, Brusuelas K, Shekar SS
Year:
2007
Journal:
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice : Jphmp. 13 (5): 447-452
Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of a collaborative response of federal, state, county, and local agencies in conducting syndromic surveillance and delivering medical care to persons affected by the storm through the use of mobile medical units. METHODS: Nine mobile medical vans were staffed with medical personnel to deliver care in communities affected by the storm. Individual patient encounter information was collected. RESULTS: A total of 14,033 housing units were approached and checked for occupants. Of residents with whom contact was made, approximately 10 percent required medical assessment in their homes; 3,218 clients were medically evaluated on the mobile medical vans. Sixty-two percent of clients were female. The most common presenting complaints included normal health maintenance (59%), upper respiratory tract illness (10%), and other illness (10%). Injuries occurred in 9 percent. A total of 1,531 doses of medications were dispensed from the mobile medical units during the response. CONCLUSION: Mobile medical units provided an efficient means to conduct syndromic surveillance and to reach populations in need of medical care who were unable to access fixed local medical facilities.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

Exposure What is this?

weather or climate related pathway by which climate change affects health

    Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster: Hurricane
Geographic Feature What is this?

resource focuses on specific type of geography

    Ocean/Coastal
Geographic Location What is this?

resource focuses on specific location

    United States
Health Impact What is this?

specification of health effect or disease related to climate change exposure

    General Health Impact
Resource Type What is this?

format or standard characteristic of resource

    Research Article
Special Topic What is this?

related topics that intersect with those captured in other filters

    Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Intervention, Vulnerability Assessment
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: General Public/Unspecified
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Children, Elderly, Low Socioeconomic Status
Back
to Top