Penn students reported their findings on a region hit hardest by Katrina, the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history, last night at a panel entitled "Penn in the Gulf."
On Jan. 12, 2008, students and faculty from the Schools of Dental Medicine, Engineering and Applied Science, Nursing, Social Policy and Practice and Veterinary Medicine provided volunteer services at a well-attended health fair in Pearlington, Miss. as part of the "Penn in the Gulf PS2 Feldman Initiative."
Founder Richard Gelles, dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice, emphasized to audience members the importance of interdisciplinary work. "Together we can make a difference," he said.
Gloria Hwang, a volunteer third-year dental student said, "It was awesome to be a part of the community . We want to find a way to tie federal, state and local components together."
On the dental front, most denture-wearers have been living without them since the disaster three years ago. "Seventy-six percent did not have dental insurance," Hwang reported.
Engineering sophomore Alex Yen presented the results of an investigation into Pearlington's well-water supply. "Of the 48 wells tested, nine were positive for fecal coliform and 10 for E. coli," he said. Results of the tests and methods of decontamination were discussed with residents during the health fair.
Nursing senior Phoebe Askie reported on a survey of health issues concerning Katrina victims in Pearlington. "Approximately 77 percent were overweight," she said, "and 35 percent had elevated blood sugar, and one-third had elevated cholesterol." Askie concluded that these factors contributed to high stroke rates in this region.
Social Policy and Practice student Katherine Walker said, "We had a very successful health fair - over 100 households attended. Some people suffered from extreme stress because they felt they couldn't talk to anyone" about their health problems.
Gelles thanked all the volunteers and announced, "Other schools are reading about what we're doing and thinking about inter-institutional partnerships. We're building something from the ground up which is a result of our students."
In several weeks, two people will return to the region to follow up on the program.
"The collaborative nature is very impressive," said John Vaugh, a member of the Presbyterian Church Disaster System. "I'm proud of Penn."
