1. Photo credit: Donn Young, “Sunrise 9 th Ward New Orleans,” from the 40 Days and 40 Nights exhibit School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Mental and Public Health in Concert: Voices from Louisiana New Orleans, LA April 29, 2008

2. Photo credit: Donn Young, “Sunrise 9 th Ward New Orleans,” from the 40 Days and 40 Nights exhibit School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Louisiana Speaks Out on Mental and Public Health Karen A. Goraleski Director, Public Health Advocacy Executive Director, Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research Research!America New Orleans, LA April 29, 2008

3. "Every public health decision is made on a political decision." William Foege, MD, MPH Senior Fellow, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Research!America 2008 Raymond and Beverly Sackler Award for Sustained National Leadership Former Director, CDC

4. Mission: Make medical and health research, including research to prevent disease, disability and injury, a much higher national priority. Founded in 1989 Non-profit alliance with 500+ members

5. Louisiana Survey Methodology  Telephone survey, random-digit dialing  Sample size of 800 adults, age 18+  Fielded April 2008  Sample proportionate to Louisiana’s demographics, geography, gender and ethnicity  Maximum theoretical sampling error of +/- 3.5%

6. Why Public Opinion Matters Louisianans pay for health and research –as taxpayers and consumers Elected officials care what constituents think The media care what readers, viewers and listeners think Public confidence in new health, medical, and scientific advances and technologies affects adoption/compliance with public health recommendations

7. Louisiana Residents Were you living in Louisiana or the Gulf Coast region when the hurricanes hit in 2005? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

8. Hurricanes Had Limited Effect on Personal Health Did the hurricanes have an effect on your own personal health in any way? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

9. Hurricanes Affected Health of People in the Community Did the hurricanes have an effect on the health of people living in your community? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

10. Greatest Impact on Mental Health In what ways did the hurricanes impact your own health or the health of people in your community? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America First Mentions Total Mentions Mental health issues/ increased anxiety/stress/depression 20 %25% Destroyed homes/properties16%20% Wind/roof damage/impact is devastating15%18% Made people sick8%11% No electricity/water/resources6%11% Increase in population/crowding/relocation6%8% Death3%6% Flooding3%5% Incidence of allergies3%4% Other14%26% None/don’t know6%

11. Hurricanes Affected Mental Health in Local Communities Did the hurricanes have an effect on the mental health of people living in your neighborhood or community? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

12. Access to Mental Health Services in Louisiana Please tell me if you think access to mental health services such as counseling is generally getting better, getting worse, or staying the same in Louisiana? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

13. Many Say Mental Health Resources Are Inadequate Do you feel there are enough resources, like specialized health care and medicines, in your community today for people who need mental health services? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

14. Usage of Mental Health Services Do you know anyone who has used the mental health services available in your community? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

15. Mental Health After the Hurricanes Many people living in Louisiana after the hurricanes have felt that some mental health services, like counseling could help them. Can you please tell me which of the following best fits your own experience? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

16. Mental Health Problems Perceived as Embarrassing Do you think people generally feel ashamed or embarrassed if they are dealing with a mental health or psychological problem? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

17. Louisianans Developed Coping Skills Because of Hurricanes Do you think that people who survived the hurricanes in your community have developed new skills for coping with disaster? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

18. Physical and Mental Health Equally Important to Louisianans When it comes to your own health, do you think that your mental health or your physical health is more important, or are they equally important? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

19. Physical and Mental Health Not Treated With Equal Importance Do you think our health care system treats mental health and physical health the same? Which one do you think is treated with greater importance? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

20. USA: Physical and Mental Health Not Treated With Equal Importance Do you think that mental health or physical health are treated with equal importance in our current health care system? Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll Charlton Research Company, 2006

21. Important to Fund Research on Mental-Physical Health Connection How important would you say it is to fund research to find out about the connection between mental health and physical health? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

22. Health Research Important to Louisiana Economy How important do you think medical and health research is to the economy of Louisiana? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

23. Louisiana as a Leader What is your opinion as to whether or not Louisiana is a leader in any of the following enterprises? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

24. Leadership in Education and Research Important How important is it for Louisiana to be a leader in the following enterprises? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

25. Louisianans Support State and Local Health Department Funding Would you support or oppose increasing federal funding for state and local health departments across the country that are expected to prepare for and respond to threats to our health? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

26. Louisianans Say Elected Officials Should Listen to Experts In thinking about threats to our health, how important is it that elected officials at all levels listen to advice from scientists and public health professionals? Source: Louisiana Survey, 2008 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

27. Karen A. Goraleski kgoraleski@researchamerica.org researchamerica.org 703-739-2577 In appreciation to my colleagues, Stacie Propst, PhD, and Heather Benson for their work in spearheading the gathering and analysis of this data.