Hurricane Katrina and Disaster Preparedness

Abstract

S. Okie's article (2008) on Hurricane Katrina and disaster preparedness raises awareness regarding the challenges faced by physicians in responding to mass emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. However, the article also gives credence to several allegations in the Louisiana attorney general's biased affidavit that are inaccurate and inflammatory and have never been proved in a court of law. Although Okie's article addresses some important issues, more focus could have been placed on other issues that were brought to light by inadequate preparation and a systems failure at every level. Much has been learned from the Katrina experience, and unless the government and the medical and legal communities take heed and effect change, we will miss one of the greatest opportunities for improving the management of national disasters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)