Work

Experiences Accessing Health and Social Services during and after Natural Disasters among People Who Use Drugs in Houston, Texas

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: People who use drugs (PWUD) disproportionately experience health-related and social vulnerabilities, which may affect service needs and access during and after natural disasters. We conducted qualitative interviews with N = 18 PWUD recruited via a syringe services program in Houston, Texas. We assessed their health and social service needs, as well as related service access experiences, during and after natural disasters using a combined inductive–deductive approach. Participants described a range of service-related needs related to illicit drug use, poverty, neighborhood disadvantage, acute and chronic health problems, and housing insecurity. They endorsed decreased access to medical and substance-related services and difficulty accessing disaster relief aid. Interviews highlighted the importance of mutual aid for sharing harm reduction supplies and meeting practical needs. Results suggest that some PWUD experience disproportionate vulnerability after natural disasters related to multiple marginalized identities that intersect with illicit drug use.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21091169

Authors: Catherine E. Paquette, Tasia Danns, Margaret Bordeaux, Zaire Cullins, Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein

Institutions: Duke University, Duke Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,842