Perceived Harm to Pet Health Associated with Human Quality of Life After a Public Health Disaster
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study’s goal was to evaluate associations of human exposure to unfiltered tap water during the Flint water crisis (FWC) with perceived harm to pets from exposure to contaminated water. We also explored the associations of perceived pet harm with participants’ self-reported general, physical, and mental health, as well as quality of life. Adult (n = 3264) pet owners from a public health registry reported unfiltered tap water exposure, perceived pet health, and general health/quality of life at baseline, as well as health/quality of life 1 year later (n = 1172). Using frequencies, percentages, and odds ratios, we evaluated associations of unfiltered tap water consumption with perceived pet health (cross-sectional) and perceived pet health with general health and quality of life (cross-sectional and longitudinal). Daily unfiltered tap water drinkers were 3.12 (95% CI: 2.33–4.23) times more likely to report the FWC had made their pet ill compared to participants who never drank unfiltered water. Participants who reported Flint water made their pet ill had approximately a two-fold increase in odds of reporting poor/fair across all four health/quality-of-life measures compared to those who did not. Both animals and humans were exposed and impacted by the FWC. This study supports the interconnectedness between human and animal health, especially regarding environmental disaster exposure and outcomes.
Institution: Michigan State University
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,016
Awards: FLINT REGISTRY (FR) 2022-2027 - THIS PROPOSAL AIMS TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE FLINT REGISTRY (FR), A DESIGNATED PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY THAT IS ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY CREATED WHEN ~100,000 RESIDENTS OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, WERE EXPOSED TO LEAD IN DRINKING WATER FROM 4/25/2014 TO 10/15/2015 (KNOWN AS THE FLINT WATER CRISIS). THE FR ADDRESSES THE CRITICAL NEED TO IDENTIFY EXPOSED INDIVIDUALS FOR LONG-TERM SURVEILLANCE AND SUPPORT, AND TO DETERMINE THE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL, MEDICAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CRISIS. WITH WIDESPREAD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, THE FR HAS BUILT A FULLY OPERATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS ENROLLED ALMOST 20,000 INDIVIDUALS AND MADE MORE THAN 25,000 CONNECTIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH PROMOTING RESOURCES. BY CONNECTING PARTICIPANTS TO A COMMUNITY NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS WITH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS BY REDUCING ONGOING LEAD EXPOSURES, THE FR IS ALREADY REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES. THE FR CONTINUES TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE WATER CRISIS BY MAINTAINING THE FR COHORT FOR LONG-TERM SURVEILLANCE AND PARTICIPANT SUPPORT AND BY CONTINUING TO RECRUIT AND ENROLL ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS. LEVERAGING THE FR'S CURRENTLY BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE, WE WILL MAINTAIN AND EXPAND THE FR TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING AIMS: 1) CONTINUE ACTIVE AND TARGETED MARKETING AND OUTREACH, WITH ONGOING LEAD ELIMINATION TRAINING AND PROGRAMMING; 2) IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS; 3) SURVEY THOSE ENROLLED IN THE REGISTRY TO MEASURE REGISTRANTS' EXPOSURE, HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES, AND SERVICE UTILIZATION AND REFER REGISTRANTS TO SERVICES TO REDUCE OR CONTROL LEAD EXPOSURE EFFECT; 4) MAINTAIN, SURVEY, AND REFER COHORT OF ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS; AND 5) EVALUATE AND DISSEMINATE FINDINGS AND SHARE BEST PRACTICES., FLINT LEAD EXPOSURE REGISTRY (FLEXR), G3830565331
OpenAlex ID: W4407351630