The authors, Vicanne Adams, Taslim Van Hattum, and Diana English work at the University of California San Francisco in the department of anthropology, history, and social medicine. The department’s research includes aspects of global health, social theory, critical medical anthropology, and disaster recovery.
This article focuses on "chronic disaster syndrome," a condition that arises in the aftermath of a large scale disaster where factors from the disaster lead to perminant physical and mental changes in the lives of those effected.
The article is supported through the use of interviews with Katrina survivors, statistics and policy moves from FEMA and other response agencies, and data from census reports and other various goverment sources.
“Chronic disaster syndrome” thus refers in this analysis to the cluster of trauma-and posttrauma-related phenomena that are at once individual, social, and political and that are associated with disaster as simultaneously causative and experiential of a chronic condition of distress in relation to displacement. "
“ Living with long-term stress related to loss of family, community, jobs, and social security as well as the continuous struggle for a decent life in unsettled life circumstances, they manifest what we are calling ‘chronic disaster syndrome.’”
“One of the recurring themes that we heard from those who were still displaced in trailers or temporary living situations (e.g., with relatives), but more so from those who had returned and were, in a few cases, back in their homes, was that, even if the neighborhoods were being rebuilt, people had lost so much that nothing would never be the same.”
Emergency response is not directly addressed in this article.
This article has been referenced in various other articles and papers in regard to the socio-economic affects of disasters.
I looked further into governmental relief policies after disasters, mental health policies in regard to emergencies, and New Orleans current state.
This research article was authored by Dr. Vincanne Adams, Dr. Diana English, and Taslim Van Hattum who are professors and researchers at the University of California at San Francisco's Department of Anthropology, History, and Social Medicine. All three authors have been extensively involved in research in their respective fields and have authored numerous publications.
The authors present a psychological, physiological, and physical condition known as "Chronic Disaster Syndrome" which, they argue, is a more appropriate diagnosis of those who have suffered through major disasters or catastrophes instead of the traditional Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. The authors present the characteristics and symptoms of this condition and make the case that they are exacerbated and perpetuated by government and private sector failures to sufficiently aid in the recovery to normal conditions by those affected by the disaster. Furthermore, they argue that this condition disproportionately affects the lower class.
The authors primarily rely on anecdotal evidence provided through interviews and testimonies presented by disaster survivors. They supplement this anecdotal evidence with data from analysis of the socioeconomic conditions following a disaster and from analysis of the mental health disorders suffered by patients who were affected by the disaster.