Summary: In 2010, NIEHS lead a trans-NIH effort to create a network of community and university partnerships seeking to identify individual and community health effects potentially stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and to enhance community resiliency to potential disasters. The five-year program supports population-based and laboratory research to develop the scientific evidence base needed to promote health and well-being for people living along the Gulf Coast who are at greatest risk for potential adverse physical, psychological and behavioral health effects. In addition, research will seek to develop new strategies to enhance capacity to respond to future disasters and prevent or minimize disaster-related adverse health effects. Ultimately, research findings from the Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia should contribute to the evidence base needed to improve preparedness and response aimed at minimizing disaster-related health impacts. In contrast to the NIEHS worker-focused Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study (GuLF STUDY) these studies will concentrate on the range of potential acute and long-term health effects in the general public.
Project Dates: 2010 – 2015
Lead Agency: Tulane University
Funding Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Contact: Maureen Lichtveld
Focus Area(s): Health
State(s): Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
Project Website: http://womenshealth.tulane.edu/pages/detail/159/Gulf-Resilience-on-Womens-Health-GROWH