Josh Michaud and Jennifer Kates
...CONCLUSION (click here)
Given the state of emergency on the island and the fact that many basic services are still not fully functioning, the full impact of the Hurricane on public health is difficult to assess. What is clear is that even before Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, the island faced a host of economic and public health concerns, and that the storm exacerbated many of these challenges while introducing new ones. Concerns may change over time as the immediate crisis response transitions to recovery, and additional health issues may manifest over the longer-term. Ultimately, the public health toll from the storm on the people of Puerto Rico will depend on a number of factors including the level and effectiveness of external support, and continued attention to and funding for response and recovery from policymakers now and going forward.
