The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Michigan Medical School, North Campus Research Complex 2800 Plymouth Road Building 10, Room G016, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA.
University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC 10-G080, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA.
J Urban Health. 2017 Dec;94(6):776-779. doi: 10.1007/s11524-017-0152-3.
We describe the self-reported socioeconomic and health impacts, as well as the coping mechanisms employed by a drug-using cohort of adults during the Flint water crisis (FWC) in Flint, Michigan. Participants from an ongoing longitudinal Emergency Department study were contacted between April 2016 and July 2016 and completed a survey focusing on exposure, consequences, and coping strategies. One hundred thirty-three participants (mean age = 26, 65% African-American, 61% public assistance) completed the survey (37.9% response rate). Of these, 75% reported exposure to water with elevated lead levels. Of these, 75% reported additional monthly expenses resulting from exposure. Almost 40% of parents reported changes in their children's health and 65% reported changes to their health since the FWC. Participants indicated the use of both positive (e.g., advice from trusted neighbors, 99.0%) and negative coping mechanisms (e.g., increased substance use, 20.0%) in response to this public health emergency. High-risk Flint residents reported multiple social, economic, and health-related consequences stemming from the FWC. Policymakers should consider additional resources for those affected, including increased access to mental health to aid recovery within the community.
我们描述了在密歇根州弗林特市弗林特水危机期间，一个吸毒成年人队列的自我报告的社会经济和健康影响，以及所采用的应对机制。在 2016 年 4 月至 2016 年 7 月期间，联系了正在进行的纵向急诊室研究的参与者，并完成了一项侧重于暴露、后果和应对策略的调查。133 名参与者（平均年龄 26 岁，65%为非裔美国人，61%享受公共援助）完成了调查（37.9%的回复率）。其中，75%报告接触到含铅量升高的水。其中，75%报告因接触而产生额外的每月费用。近 40%的父母报告说他们的孩子的健康状况发生了变化，65%的人报告说自 FWC 以来他们的健康状况发生了变化。参与者表示，他们在应对这一公共卫生紧急情况时，既采用了积极的应对机制（例如，从可信赖的邻居那里获得建议，99.0%），也采用了消极的应对机制（例如，增加物质使用，20.0%）。高危弗林特居民报告称，FWC 带来了多种与社会、经济和健康相关的后果。政策制定者应考虑为受影响者提供更多资源，包括增加获得心理健康服务的机会，以帮助社区内的恢复。
