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Investigating the effect of oil spills
on the environment and public health.
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Funding Source: Year One Block Grant - Louisiana State University

Project Overview

Coping with Natural and Technological Disasters: Human Adaptive Capacities after Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Principal Investigator
Louisiana State University
Department of Psychology
Member Institutions
Louisiana State University, University of New Orleans

Summary:

This project focuses on the psychological impact and health consequences of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in commercial fishers and their families currently living in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes in South Louisiana.  This study extends an ongoing program of research on post-Katrina resilience and recovery in current and former residents of St. Bernard, a geographic region that was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  We have tested 164 current and former residents of the catchment area and 30 non-affected controls living in Baton Rouge, LA.  Data collection is in progress.  To date, 18 commercial fishers are needed to complete the study.  Of these, 8 have partially completed testing, 2 are enrolled, and 8 will be recruited.  Anticipated completion date for subject testing is August 1, 2012.


This research was made possible by a grant from The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative.
www.gulfresearchinitiative.org