Survey to assess health impacts of Katrina and Rita

People whose health was directly affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita -- whether as evacuees, displaced persons, rescue and recovery workers, or volunteers -- are invited to participate in a groundbreaking national survey that will assess the storms' impact on mental and physical well-being. The survey's sponsors, the Louisiana Environmental Action Network and Partners Publishing, explain their aims:

The primary purpose of the survey is to identify the current health status of individuals whose physical and psychological health remains negatively impacted from exposures to flood waters, hurricane sediment, water-damaged buildings, mold, formaldehyde and/or mold in FEMA-provided trailers, mobile homes, or park models, and/or other contaminants incurred during and/or after Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and/or from other contaminant-laden post-hurricane housing. The secondary purpose of the survey is to identify the total number of people who have become physically and/or psychologically ill since hurricanes Katrina and Rita to assist in identifying health trends, patterns of illnesses, and geographic clusters of increased levels of illnesses.

The The 2008 Nationwide Katrina and Rita Health Survey will be available online during an eight-week period that began yesterday and ends May 7. Results will be compiled by town, parish and state. Information on preliminary data will be released midway through the survey period, with a full report set for its conclusion. A Spanish version of the survey will be available by March 24, organizers say.