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HEALTH, HISTORY, AND HEALING AMONG A
DISPLACED PEOPLE: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM IMPACTS IN
THE WAKE OF HURRICANE KATRINA
Research by Dr. David Simmons
Department of Anthropology and Health Promotion,
Education, and Behavior
Hurricane Katrina evacuees experienced great stress
and confusion as they made their way from the Gulf Coast
to Columbia, South Carolina, and other parts of the
country. Evacuees experienced multiple forms of loss,
from property to employment to health. Displaced people
have historically faced health challenges amid disaster
and did so in the wake of Katrina, as well.
 University
of South Carolina researchers set out to explore the
experience of displacement on the well-being and health
of Katrina evacuees. Their goals included developing and
implementing an interdisciplinary approach to
understanding the socio-cultural impacts of a complex
natural disaster, highlighting ways in which that
understanding might be applied to public policy and
preparedness planning , and training undergraduate and
graduate students in multidisciplinary approaches to
research.
Researchers used a multimethod critical interpretive
health approach – including community-based
participatory research, rapid appraisal, oral history,
multisited ethnography, and documentary – to identify
sources of vulnerability and resilience among this
population.
Research results demonstrate the critical role that
ideas of race and class played in placing people at risk
during this natural disaster and during the relief
effort. The compelling narratives of interviewees
underline this fact. Constant themes throughout the
narratives researchers collected demonstrated how ideas
of class and race shaped individual and community
experiences and government’s responses to the disaster.
Research findings will help stakeholders better
anticipate the multifaceted aspects of a disaster,
social and otherwise, and identify specific factors
linked to vulnerability and resilience.
A multiethnic research team, made up primarily of
African-Americans, conducted the research for this
study. This had a direct and positive bearing on the
access afforded the research team and the types of
information it was able to collect. Given its
multidisciplinary scope and the involvement of graduate
and undergraduate students, this project effectively
advanced discovery and understanding. It encouraged
students to pursue similar research on underserved and
marginalized populations. Further, researchers believe
that multidisciplinary research such as that conducted
for this project by its very nature enhances and builds
upon existing research networks, partnerships, and
collaborations.
The results of this study were shared with the
Congressional Black Caucus in a Congressional Field
Hearing at the National Association for Equal
Opportunity in Higher Education Annual Conference in New
Orleans. Findings will also be shared at the annual
meetings of the American Anthropological Association.
The data have also been prepared for publication in
scholarly journals.
This research reminded the team that one does not have
to travel to the so-called developing world to
experience developing-world conditions. Their
experiences show that there are many places in the
United States that qualify for developing-world status.
The researchers believe these communities deserve help
in easing their suffering.
Biography
Dr. David Simmons, assistant professor,
African-American Studies, Department of Anthropology,
College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Health
Promotion, Education and Behavior, Arnold School of
Public Health.
Research Team/Collaborators:
The research team comprised faculty and students from
the University of South Carolina, University of Texas
(Austin) and Xavier University. |
