Assessing Health Needs in Underserved Urban Communities: The Rockaways Post-Hurricane Sandy

More than a year after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, anecdotal evidence suggests the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens is experiencing one of the most difficult recoveries in New York City. Currently, however, little reliable information about the scope of post-Sandy needs in the region, particularly regarding healthcare, is available. Doctors of the World (MdM) USA requested that the Capstone team create and conduct a health needs assessment of the peninsula to provide useful data to inform health care interventions and advocacy efforts.

The team designed an in-person household survey and deployed it with a probability sampling strategy. The survey design was guided by a thorough literature review as well as expert consultations for best design practices and statistical sampling methodology. The survey was pre-tested and piloted for design and protocol considerations and went through several iterations before being finalized. The team developed surveying procedures and maps of selected households assignable to teams of volunteer surveyors in three rounds of surveying. Over 70 volunteers were recruited and trained for household surveying. Data collected was entered, cleaned, and analyzed using Excel and STATA.

The data will inform MdM clinic services and further advocacy efforts for the Rockaways, historically home to a number of marginalized communities. The Capstone team recommends that the clinic consider expanding its services for low-income people who are insured but require dental and eye care, as well as improving general community outreach. Techniques for streamlining community assessments, particularly in the aftermath of a natural disaster, are also needed.