Original Article

Mortality Surveillance

2004 to 2005 Florida Hurricane-Related Deaths

Ragan, Patricia PhD*; Schulte, Joann DO, MPH†; Nelson, Stephen J. MD‡; Jones, Ken T.*

Author Information

From the *Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service, The Bureau of Epidemiology, and the Office of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health, FL; †Career Field Epidemiology Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; and ‡Medical Examiners Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL.

Manuscript received October 13, 2006; accepted February 14, 2007.

The findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC or the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Reprints: Patricia Ragan, PhD, Bureau of Epidemiology, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A12, Tallahassee, FL 32399. E-mail: [email protected].

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 29(2):p 148-153, June 2008. | DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0b013e318175dd5e

Abstract

During 2004 and 2005, Florida was struck by 8 hurricanes, resulting in 213 deaths. The Department of Health and Florida medical examiners monitor hurricane mortality surveillance. This study analyzed hurricane-related deaths reported by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission for 2004 to 2005. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the Florida hurricane-related mortality for 2004 and 2005, (2) accurately characterize the hurricane-related deaths, and (3) identify strategies to prevent or reduce future hurricane deaths. For 2004, there were 144 total hurricane-related deaths. The majority (59%) occurred in the postimpact phase, with accidents accounting for 76% of deaths. Among these, over half were caused by trauma, followed by drowning, other injury, electrocution, and carbon monoxide poisoning. For 2005, there were 69 hurricane-related deaths. Sixty-one percent of deaths occurred in the postimpact phase, with accidents accounting for 86% of all deaths. Among these, over half were due to trauma, with drowning and carbon monoxide poisoning being the other major contributors. Most hurricane-related deaths are due to unintentional injury and therefore, preventable. Seventy-nine percent of deaths are in those aged 40 and older. Prevention messages should target high-risk, postimpact activities, especially in older adults.

© 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Full Text Access for Subscribers:

Not a Subscriber?

Buy
Request Permissions

You can read the full text of this article if you:

Access through Ovid