LSU Sociology Professors Matthew Lee and Troy Blanchard have conducted a survey to gain an understanding of the health impacts the ongoing Deepwater Horizon disaster is having on people living in Louisiana's coastal communities.
"Louisiana's coastal communities are the most geographically proximate human settlements to the actual disaster site," said Lee. "It is imperative that we begin work now to better understand the human impacts of this situation because the results are expected to be long-lasting and diverse."
The researchers, in conjunction with LSU's Public Policy Research Lab, or PPRL, conducted a telephone survey beginning June 17, less than 60 days after the onset of the Deepwater Horizon blowout. PPRL investigators conducted more than 900 interviews with coastal Louisiana residents near the spill site. Prominent findings include:
"The indication is, at least at this point, that the human health impacts are real and substantial," said Blanchard. "Right now, the data suggest that significant public health resources may be required to assist residents in the coastal parishes of Louisiana in dealing with the consequences of this disaster."
To view the results, see: http://www.lsu.edu/pa/mediacenter/tipsheets/spill/publichealthreport_2.pdf?id=329
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