Alleviating the negative impact of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil leaks on the physical and psychological health of ethnic minority immigrants: A Vietnamese case study.

Abstract

The disproportionate impact of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico on ethnic minorities, particularly the English literacy–challenged populations (e.g., Vietnamese) is an important public health concern. An understanding of the etiology and manifestation of disaster-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) promotes community resiliency. In emergency situations, socioeconomically marginalized ethnic minorities who are not fluent in English are at a disadvantage. These individuals often face economic and social barriers due to their limited-English-proficient (LEP) communication with government personnel, lack of scientific knowledge about the environmental hazards, and limited access to mental health care during postdisaster events. The objective of this commentary is to examine the potential impact of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Leaks on the physical and psychological health of Vietnamese ethnic minority residents living in the emergency-impact area. The article first provides a...