Long-term healthcare provider availability following large-scale hurricanes: A difference-in-differences study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy were two of the most significant disasters of the 21st century that critically impacted communities and the health of their residents. Despite the assumption that disasters affect access to healthcare, to our knowledge prior studies have not rigorously examined availability of healthcare providers following disasters.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine availability of healthcare providers following large-scale hurricanes.

Methods

Using historical data on healthcare providers from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System and county-level population characteristics, we conducted a quasi-experimental study to examine the effect of large-scale hurricanes on healthcare provider availability in the short-ter

SUBMITTER: Bell SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7685502 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature