The Health Costs of Katrina

Newswise — The possibility of health problems that develop due to polluted conditions caused by Hurricane Katrina could place a strain on an already overwhelmed and damaged health infrastructure in affected areas, said UAB health economist Bryce Sutton, Ph.D. "The direct health economic impact from treating Katrina-related illnesses will contribute to the overall costs of recovery, and these costs can escalate rapidly if prevention measures are not implemented quickly. The indirect cost of disease and illness can be substantial by affecting residents and workers who are present to assist them and rebuild."