Faculty Collaboration Database

The dirty dozen: twelve failures of the hurricane katrina response and how psychology can help. Am Psychol 2007;62(2):118-30

Date

02/28/2007

Pubmed ID

17324037

DOI

10.1037/0003-066X.62.2.118

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33847389779 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   82 Citations

Abstract

This comprehensive analysis addresses the United States' alarming lack of preparedness to respond effectively to a massive disaster as evidenced by Hurricane Katrina. First, a timeline of problematic response events during and after Hurricane Katrina orients readers to some of the specific problems encountered at different levels of government. Second, a list of the "Dirty Dozen"--12 major failures that have occurred in prior disasters, which also contributed to inadequate response during and after Hurricane Katrina--is presented. Third, this article encourages expanding psychology's role beyond the treatment of trauma to encompass disaster planning and mitigation efforts from a broader public health perspective. Finally, areas for important interdisciplinary research in human behavior that will influence our nation's overall preparedness for future catastrophes are identified, and ways psychologists can become personally involved beyond treating casualties are discussed.

Author List

Gheytanchi A, Joseph L, Gierlach E, Kimpara S, Housley J, Franco ZE, Beutler LE

Author

Zeno Franco PhD Associate Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Communication
Cooperative Behavior
Disaster Planning
Disasters
Group Processes
Humans
Psychology
Public Health
Relief Work
United States