Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41018766›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Addressing non-communicable disease management during disasters in the US Virgin Islands: a mixed methods study.

Michelle Teresa Wiciak, Stephen Perez, Tess Richards, Karla Escobar, Dabney P Evans, Marcella Nunez-Smith, Saria Hassan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Michelle Teresa Wiciak *Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Stephen Perez *Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Tess RichardsSt Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
Karla EscobarDepartment of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Dabney P EvansHubert Department of Global Health, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Marcella Nunez-SmithDepartment of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
Saria HassanDepartment of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.

Funding

A Plan to Reduce Non-Communicable Disease-Related Morbidity and Mortality After Natural DisastersK23HL152368 · NHLBI · EMORY UNIVERSITY · PI HASSAN, SARIA · 2020 to 2024
$860k
NHLBI NIH HHS K23 HL152368
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Extreme weather events, like hurricanes Irma and Maria, have disproportionately impacted individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), exacerbating health disparities due to healthcare disruptions. The USVI and other Caribbean islands face increased morbidity and mortality from NCDs from rising risk factors and lack of improving in quality of care. This study explores the experiences of individuals with NCDs during these hurricanes to identify strategies for improving disaster preparedness and response. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in St. Thomas, USVI. One-hundred and thirteen quantitative surveys assessed preparedness, healthcare access, and mental health impacts. Fifteen semi-structured qualitative interviews provided deeper insights into patient experiences and coping strategies. Data integration followed a narrative approach. Results: Quantitative findings revealed nearly one third of participants struggled to manage their NCDs post-disaster, citing stress-related exacerbation of conditions (42.3%), lack of medication access (34.6%), and disrupted healthcare services (34.6%). Mental health burdens were significant, with nearly a third reporting anxiety (28%) and depression (27.8%), and 5.2% meeting PTSD criteria. Many participants (39.7%) had not received disaster preparedness information tailored to NCDs, with only 47.5% receiving guidance from healthcare providers. Qualitative interviews underscored these findings, highlighting that NCD management was deprioritized post-disaster due to immediate survival needs. Participants emphasized the role of family and community support in coping, yet also noted mental health stigma and limited healthcare access as ongoing barriers. Preferred communication strategies included social media, radio, and trusted sources. Conclusion: Findings reveal critical gaps in disaster preparedness for persons with NCDs in the USVI. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, enhancing mental health support, and providing targeted education can improve resilience and reduce morbidity in future disasters.

Indexed as

Cyclonic StormsDisaster PlanningDisastersDisease ManagementNoncommunicable DiseasesAdaptation, PsychologicalAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative Researchclimate changedisastersnon-communicable diseasespreparednessresilienceUS virgin islands

Identifiers

PMID41018766
PMCPMC12463602

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.