Are Detroit water shutoffs and illnesses related?

A recent study by water activists and researchers at Henry Ford Global Health Initiative has shown an association between shutoffs and some water-associated illnesses.

Working with the group We the People of Detroit, researchers compared block-level water disconnection data in Detroit from January 2015 to February 2016 with Henry Ford Hospital admissions and diagnoses for gastrointestinal and soft tissue infections during that time.  

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The records showed that patients who lived on a block with shutoffs were 1.55 times more likely to have a water-associated illness, even when other socioeconomic situations are taken into consideration.

Water activists used the findings to renew their call for a moratorium on the shutoffs, and planned to begin a robo-call campaign this week bringing the issue to the attention of city residents.

“Common sense tells us that you can’t deprive tens of thousands of people of water and not suffer serious public health consequences,” said Monica Lewis-Patrick of the We the People group.

In a press statement issued by We the People, the study’s lead author, Alexander Plum, said the study shows that “depriving people of access to water has health consequences.”

Bridge attempted to interview Plum, who is the Global Health Initiative’s senior program coordinator. Henry Ford officials responded by saying he was out of the country last week and issuing a statement saying the study “found only a general correlation” and “can’t be used to determine any direct cause and effect.”

The City of Detroit has received the results of the study. Health department officials did not respond to requests for comment.