Community health impact of extended loss of water service --- alabama, january 2010.

Access to clean water is fundamental to good health. During January 2010, approximately 18,000 residents of two predominantly rural counties in Alabama lost access to municipal water for up to 12 days after below-freezing temperatures led to breaks in water mains and residential water pipes and caus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report Vol. 60; no. 6; pp. 161 - 167
Format: research Journal Article
Published: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 2/18/2011
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: 2/18/2011
      vid: 60
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      pid: 1493
      pub: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
      place: Atlanta, Georgia
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        atl: Community health impact of extended loss of water service --- alabama, january 2010.
      aug:
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        subj:
          Emergencies
          Gastrointestinal Diseases Epidemiology
          Water Supply
          Acute Disease
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Alabama
          Child
          Child, Preschool
          Data Collection
          Female
          Human
          Infant
          Infant, Newborn
          Male
          Middle Age
          Odds Ratio
          Prevalence
          Public Health
          Rural Population
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Child: 6-12 years
          Child, Preschool: 2-5 years
          Infant: 1-23 months
          Infant, Newborn: birth-1 month
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Access to clean water is fundamental to good health. During January 2010, approximately 18,000 residents of two predominantly rural counties in Alabama lost access to municipal water for up to 12 days after below-freezing temperatures led to breaks in water mains and residential water pipes and caused widespread systemic mechanical failures. To assess potential health impacts, use of alternative water sources, and effectiveness of the emergency response, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) invited CDC to assist in an investigation that included a survey of 470 households representing 1,283 residents and a qualitative investigation (i.e., focus group discussions and interviews with key informants). This report summarizes the results of that investigation, which found a significantly higher prevalence of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) among residents of households that lost both water service and water pressure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.6), that lost water service for >=7 days (AOR = 2.4), and that lost water pressure for >=7 days (AOR = 3.5). Significant dose-response relationships were observed between increased duration of lost water service or pressure and AGI. The survey and qualitative investigation revealed that households, communities, water utilities, and institutions were not adequately prepared for water emergencies in areas of communication and notification, planning for alternative water sources, and interagency coordination. Health effects from loss of water supply or water pressure might be mitigated by public health involvement in fostering household, community, and interagency preparedness, and developing communication strategies that will reach the majority of citizens in a timely manner.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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