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Number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease is down
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In a new report published online in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers for the American Heart Association report that the number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease is decreasing. However, the researchers note that cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States.
The 2008 report provides an important update of statistics on heart disease, incidence, mortality rates, as well as the control of risk factors, including cholesterol, physical activity, body mass, and diabetes. The Statistical Update also covers cardiovascular disease related kidney disease and notes the numerous improvements in patient care during a three-year period from 2002 through 2004.
Rosamond, Wayne et al., "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2008 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee," Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, published online December 2007.
By Elena Landriscina
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Study suggests that disaster relief efforts must aim to ensure the health of survivors with chronic disease
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A study published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine concludes that interruption of medical care for individuals with chronic diseases was common for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The study recommends that disaster management plans be revised to adequately address the needs of survivors with chronic illnesses.
© AP Photo - All Rights Reserved
While the emergency response to the disaster addressed people’s urgent needs and acute illnesses, little provision seems to have been made to care for survivors with such chronic illnesses as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, respiratory illness, HIV/AIDS, renal disease, dementia, and mental disorders.
The findings about the disruption in care "should not be surprising," write the authors of the study, "in light of the widespread loss of health care facilities and personnel, as well as employment, financial resources, and insurance to pay for care even if available: the continued displacement of the majority of New Orleans’ residents and even larger proportions of some coastal communities continues to cut many evacuees off from their usual sources of treatment and support."
Limited access to physicians (41.1%) was the leading reason for disrupted treatment. This was followed by limited access to medication (32.5%), financial/insurance problems (29.3%), problems with transportation (23.2%), and competing demands on time (10.9%).
Such figures can provide important context for understanding the numerous obstacles that residents continue to face more than two years after Katrina.
The negative effects of displacement represent a major concern for health and housing advocates alike. On December 20, 2007, the New Orleans City Council voted in favor of demolishing 4,500 units of public housing to be replaced by only 800 units to make way for mixed-income neighborhoods. Residents and housing advocates opposing the planned demolition were barred from public meetings on the issue. When housing advocates protested in response, New Orleans police used pepper spray and tasers against the people.
By Elena Landriscina
The Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory Group and Ronald Kessler, "Hurricane Katrina's Impact on the Care of Survivors with Chronic Medical Conditions," Journal of General Internal Medicine, Vol. 22, No. 9, September 2007, pp. 1225-1230.
Nossiter, Adam, and Leslie Eaton, “New Orleans Council Votes for Demolition of Housing,” New York Times, December 21, 2007,
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/us/nationalspecial/21orleans.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
www.hurricanekatrina.med.harvard.edu
www.peopleshurricane.org
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