Disaster Prep Survey for People Living with Diabetes that Use Insulin

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the worst on record with catastrophic storms impacting the mainland US and island territories including Puerto Rico with the total damage estimated to exceed $280 billion dollars.  For some of those living in the path of a storm, life returned to normal within days.  For others, it took weeks or even months to return home to permanent shelter, electricity, access to food, medicine, and other basic needs.  And some, of course, remain in the process of rebuilding their homes and communities.  People living with diabetes that use insulin can be especially vulnerable to any disaster that interrupts access to refrigeration, medication, supplies, and more.  This life-or-death reality led a number of organizations within the diabetes community to band together in 2017 to do whatever they could to make sure that people with diabetes who needed insulin and supplies in those storm-affected areas got what they needed.  The group includes the American Diabetes Association, JDRF, Insulin for Life, and others. 
 
While there is no way to know for certain if future hurricane seasons will be as volatile, disasters will happen. These groups and others are leaving nothing to chance and have formed the Diabetes Emergency Relief Coalition (DERC).  DERC is committed to a safer and healthier hurricane season for people living with diabetes that use insulin by working together to amplify the importance of advance preparation, connecting with key partners who are able to get supplies where they are needed in a disaster area.
 
By taking this survey, you will be helping DERC members better understand the needs of patients and caregivers and how DERC can play a part in disaster preparation, response, and relief.  This survey can be self-administered or can be administered by a health professional, family member or friend who will input the data into this online survey on behalf of another person.  Your responses are confidential.  If you would like to share your name and contact information, there is an opportunity to do so at the end, but it is not required.  Thank you in advance for your time and assistance!