Study: Most Katrina Victims Were Elderly

Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Study: Most Katrina Victims Were Elderly: "Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A majority of people killed by Hurricane Katrina were older residents unable or unwilling to evacuate in the rising floodwaters, according to a study of almost half the bodies recovered in Louisiana.

About 60 percent of the nearly 500 victims identified so far were age 61 or older, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reported.

``The elderly were much more likely to be in hospitals and nursing homes as well as possibly homebound and not able to access transportation in order to evacuate from the storm,'' said agency spokesman Bob Johannessen.
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Forty-two percent of the identified victims were black, 37 percent white and 3 percent Hispanic, the report said. The remaining 18 percent weren't identified by race or ethnicity."