This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a colleague
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Murphy, M. W.
Right arrow Articles by Quinlisk, M. P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Murphy, M. W.
Right arrow Articles by Quinlisk, M. P.

Research

Postdisaster Health Communication and Information Sources: The Iowa Flood Scenario

Matthew W. Murphy, PhD, Shahed Iqbal, PhD, Carlos A. Sanchez, MD and M. Patricia Quinlisk, MD

Author Affiliations: Dr Murphy is an epidemic intelligence service officer with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), CDC; Dr Iqbal is an epidemic intelligence service officer with the Air Pollution Branch, NCEH, CDC; Dr Sanchez is a medical officer with the Health Studies Branch, NCEH, CDC; and Dr Quinlisk is the Medical Director and State Epidemiologist, Iowa Department of Public Health.

Background:  During June 2008, heavy precipitation and 500-year flood events resulted in the displacement of thousands of families throughout eastern Iowa. The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness and preferred sources of health messages communicated to the public following the disaster.

Methods:  Three hundred twenty-seven households were surveyed in 4 counties hit hardest by the flooding. A 48-item questionnaire containing items on demographics, housing, health information sources, and 8 specific health issues was administered.

Results:  Almost all of the participants (99.0%) received information on at least 1 of the health topics covered by the survey. Most participants received information regarding vaccination (84.1%), mold (79.5%), safe use of well water (62.7%), respirator use (58.7%), or stress (53.8%). Television was the primary (54.7%) and preferred (60.2%) source of health information for most people, followed by the Internet (11.0% and 30.3% as source and preference, respectively).

Conclusions:  Public health messages were received by a wide audience in the flood-affected communities. Along with more traditional health communication channels such as television, radio, or newspapers, continued emphasis on the development of health information Web sites and other technological alternatives may result in useful and effective health communication in similar situations.

Key Words: natural disasters • environmental health • floods • communications media • risk communication • Iowa • questionnaires • disaster response • environmental exposure • communication