From the entire editorial board, we would like to apologize for the tardiness of this issue. This “webzine” was actually planned for release this past year, in commemoration of the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Spearheaded by former PH Editor-in-Chief, Thomas Cannell ‘06, we had hoped to present the state of health care in New Orleans at eighteen months after the crisis. How far had the region come? How much room was there to improve?

Unfortunately, the turnover of the editorial masthead hindered its completion last year, and the board considered dropping the project. It was only with the dedication of Mr. Cannell that this endeavor managed to reach completion. As such, we warn our readers that these articles are portrayed exactly as they were written a year ago. No additional information has been presented since the conception of these pieces, so we encourage you to think of them as a snapshot in recent history.

 You will hear Emily Holt about the ramifications of housing rebuilding in the city, while Chris Weaver and Adele Shartzer tackle the underlying problems inherent in New Orleans’ health care system. Thomas Cannell discusses the state of disrupted mental health in the region, which has had a profound impact on a particularly vulnerable population. Despite the room for improvement cited by these authors, there is still hope within the confusion. Paul Kadetz presents us with Dr. Nancy Mock’s Tremé Table Project, a grassroots initiative from the Tulane School of Public Health meant to improve health while preserving the culture of the Big Easy.

 Again, we apologize to all the writers of the articles and wish them the best in their endeavors to rebuild New Orleans.

Best,

Andrew Chang Editor-in-Chief

Rebecca Anastos-Wallen Editor-in-Chief