After a hurricane, impact can linger for people with chronic illnesses

Living through disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita proved particularly challenging for patients over age 65 who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A new study of 170,328 seniors found they were 40% more likely to die from any cause in the first month after each hurricane hit, compared to other patients with diabetes who had not experienced a major hurricane and its aftermath. Even 10 years later, survivors still had a 6% higher risk of death, particularly if they moved to another county also hit by a hurricane. “Our findings highlight the need to ensure that appropriate care is provided to disaster victims immediately after the event, as well as in the weeks and months that follow,” they write.