Hurricane Michael Impact on Children and Families |
In 2018 Hurricane Michael caused catastrophic damage to our area. The structural impact to the area could be seen for miles, however more difficult to assess, was the effect of the storm on pregnant women and new parents.
Pregnant women and their newborns may be particularly vulnerable to natural disasters for several reasons such as limited access to medical care, disruptions in food supply, contaminated water, and the overall negative impact of stress on the parents and children.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Bay, Franklin, and Gulf Counties and our community partners are working to anticipate the needs of pregnant women and new parents in disaster recovery planning.
We have developed a survey that will provide useful insight into the experiences of pregnant women and new parents who lived in the area during Hurricane Michael to guide us in addressing post-hurricane gaps in services.
We appreciate your support and participation as we work to improve pregnancy outcomes and promote healthy growth and development in children.