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Case Study: Preparedness and Response for Disruptions in Health Care in Select Communities During and After Hurricanes Fiona and Ian

In 2022, Hurricanes Fiona and Ian made landfall as Category 4 hurricanes, resulting in more than $115 billion in damages and causing the deaths of more than 170 people. In Puerto Rico, Florida, and South Carolina, several health care facilities such as hospitals, end-stage renal disease facilities, and community health centers experienced disruptions in services caused by factors such as power outages, water shortages, and/or staffing shortages. This study will describe specific disruptions in health care during and after Hurricanes Fiona and Ian for select communities in Puerto Rico, Florida, and South Carolina. We will determine how and the extent to which select communities prepared to prevent these specific disruptions, as well as how Puerto Rico, Florida, and South Carolina oversaw and supported communities prior to the hurricanes. We will determine how and to what extent select communities addressed these specific disruptions during and after the hurricanes, as well as how Puerto Rico, Florida, and South Carolina oversaw and supported these response activities. We will examine HHS's support and oversight of Puerto Rico's, Florida's, and South Carolina's compliance with meeting performance measures and standards for health care preparedness and response. We will also assess which HHS resources were used for both preparedness and response activities, and whether any relevant resources were not used and why. This study will help improve how HHS and States oversee and support public health and health care delivery systems in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, including hurricanes.

Announced or Revised Agency Title Component Report Number(s) Expected Issue Date (FY)
November 2023 ASPR, CDC, CMS Case Study: Preparedness and Response for Disruptions in Health Care in Select Communities During and After Hurricanes Fiona and Ian Office of Evaluation and Inspections OEI-04-23-00420 2025