Almost one year after Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Gulf Coast, about 40 percent of affected residents indicated they are still not receiving help they need in terms of housing, healthcare and financial aid, according to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Episcopal Health Foundation.
For the survey, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Episcopal Health Foundation called 1,651 adults across 24 Texas counties between June 21 and July 29. Survey respondents all experienced severed property damage during Hurricane Harvey, according to reports from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Here are four survey findings to know:
1. Nearly 23 percent of respondents said their personal financial situation is worse than before the hurricane, and 17 percent said their overall quality of life is worse due to the storm.
2. Sixteen percent of respondents said they need more help finding affordable healthcare, and 9 percent needed more help accessing mental healthcare. About 52 percent of those surveyed said more resources are needed to increase access to mental health services, up from 42 percent in a survey conducted prior to Hurricane Harvey.
3. About 31 percent of affected residents indicated Hurricane Harvey had negative effects on their mental health. About 19 percent said they have a harder time controlling their temper, 18 percent felt their mental health has gotten worse, 10 percent were taking a new prescription for mental health issues and 6 percent said they increased their alcohol intake.
4. About 16 percent of affected residents indicated they or someone in their home has a new health condition since Hurricane Harvey, while the same percentage indicated an existing health condition has gotten worse. Thirty-two percent of the people surveyed indicated new or worsening health conditions included respiratory problems. Ten percent reported having high blood pressure.
"One year later, many of those with the fewest resources are still struggling to bounce back from Harvey's punch," said Elena Marks, president and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation. "This kind of information is crucial to letting government and other recovery groups know what Texans still need for a long-term comeback."