Abstract
Background and Purpose: In April 2014, the municipal water source for Flint, Michigan was changed from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Although residents reported concerns about the quality of tap water and resulting health problems, officials insisted that the water was safe. This study examined relationships between self-reported tap water quality during the water crisis and health conditions among Flint residents. Methods: Participants from each residential Census Tract in the City of Flint were recruited via address lists, online social media, and community-based events. The survey included mental and physical health items from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and an item on tap water quarter quality experiences. Analyses were weighted to be demographically representative. Results: Participants (N = 277) rated their tap water quality (taste, smell, appearance) as Poor (57%), Fair (20%), Good (13%), Very Good (6%), and Excellent (3%). Controlling for age, gender, years of education, whether respondents were African American or Hispanic/Latino/a, and population demographics, lower perceived tap water quality was associated with worse mental and physical health across all indicators. Conclusion: This study demonstrates associations of tap water quality experiences with reported poor physical and mental health among adults in Flint during the Flint Water Crisis.
Highlights
After decades of post-industrial economic decline (Hollander, 2010), the City of Flint was in receivership between 2011 and 2015, with city finances controlled by state appointed emergency managers (Bellinger, 2016; Staff, 2016)
While the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) was under construction, local officials changed the water source from Lake Huron and the Detroit River on April 25, 2014 to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure (Staff, 2016)
The CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) included items on SelfReported Health (SRH), Self-Reported Mental Health (SRMH), Days when poor physical health interfered with daily activities (P days), and Days when poor mental health interfered with daily activities (M Days) out of the past 30 days
Summary
After decades of post-industrial economic decline (Hollander, 2010), the City of Flint was in receivership between 2011 and 2015, with city finances controlled by state appointed emergency managers (Bellinger, 2016; Staff, 2016). Some residents reported health concerns in adults and children, such as skin rashes and hair loss, which they attributed to contaminated tap water (Associated Press, 2015). Community Survey has been conducted biennially in Genesee County, Michigan since 2003 (Kruger, Shirey, Morrel-Samuels, Skorcz, & Brady, 2009) This community-based participatory project monitors local health and health related concerns, assesses the influence of health initiatives on health outcomes, and promotes change to improve the health of Genesee County residents (Kodjebacheva, Koleilat, & Kruger, 2015; Kruger et al, 2009). The Water Crisis and toxic contamination were regular features on local news and frequent topic of discussion among local residents This project examines the association between poor tap water quality and adult health during great public concern regarding toxic water contamination
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