Health care disrupted as Hurricane Helene strains rural North Carolina
Hurricane Helene has severely impacted western North Carolina, where storm damage has left vulnerable rural communities struggling to access essential health care amid widespread closures and infrastructure loss.
Emily Cochrane reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- In storm-hit areas of North Carolina, damaged infrastructure has cut off access to hospitals, clean water, and regular medical services, leaving many residents with unmet health needs.
- Volunteers, including doctors and nurses, have set up temporary clinics and are making home visits to provide essential care to those unable to travel.
- Officials are concerned about long-term health impacts, as residents face injury risks during cleanup, mental health strains from loss, and challenges in accessing medications.
Key quote:
“True health care access moves at the speed of trust; it’s just going to be a long haul.”
— Kody H. Kinsley, North Carolina secretary of health and human services
Why this matters:
In rural, underserved regions like western North Carolina, natural disasters can devastate fragile health systems, compounding pre-existing disparities. As residents struggle to regain stable access to medical care, the region may face an extended health crisis driven by physical and psychological fallout from the storm.
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