A survey of refugees in Houston found that slightly more than half (53 percent) said they were separated from or missing members of their immediate family, and more than 1 in 10 believed a family member, friend or neighbor perished in the storm.
The study–by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the Harvard School of Public Health and The Washington Post–also highlighted the medical challenges this displaced population faces.
A third of 680 adults surveyed said they had experienced health problems or injuries as a result of the hurricane. While most were getting care for these conditions, slightly more than 1 in 5 were not.
Slightly more than 4 of 10 refugees said they suffered from chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension or asthma; a similar percentage said they were supposed to be taking prescription medications. Yet 29 percent reported having problems getting the medications they need.
The survey was done Sept. 10-12 at five small Red Cross shelters in Houston, that city’s convention center and the Reliant Center complex, which includes the Astrodome.