The Hurricane Sandy Person Report Disaster Exposure Health Impacts Economic Burden and Social Well-Being

The authors examine the impact of Hurricane Sandy ("the dose") on the health and well-being of New Jersey residents ("the response") exposed to the storm. Primary findings include: the negative effect housing damage had on residents' health is similar to the effect of poverty; some toxins (e.g., mold) had a double negative effect (e.g., clinically-diagnosed asthma and mental health distress); and children living in homes that experienced minor physical damage were more likely to be sad or depressed or having sleeping problems.