Connecticut experiences a wide array of seasonal hazards, such as severe winter storms, hurricanes, and floods, and it must also prepare for accidents stemming from man-made disasters, infectious disease, or incidents at the two nuclear power plants located within its region. The effect of Tropical Storm Irene on the East Coast in summer 2011 and a rare October Nor’easter two months later highlighted Connecticut’s susceptibility to a variety of natural/seasonal hazards.
Hurricane Ike damaged or destroyed 70% of Galveston, Texas’ residential and commercial buildings when it struck the barrier island in September 2008. Pre-storm poverty levels and poor health and social indicators made it challenging for community members to bounce back quickly. In the post-storm political and planning environment, decision makers were afforded the opportunity to address social determinants of health and the impact of policies on health.
The Vietnamese and Latino communities have been well-established in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Vietnamese began coming to New Orleans in the mid-1970s, starting their own restaurants, stores, and organizations. Primarily established in New Orleans East and the West Bank, the Vietnamese community has developed a self-sustaining community network, including health care resources. The New Orleans Latino community, historically composed of mainly Cubans and Hondurans, became a significant presence in the late 1950s. Unlike the Vietnamese community, Latinos settled throughout the city.
