Disaster Planning and Risk Communication With Vulnerable Communities: Lessons From Hurricane Katrina

Eisenman, David; Cordasco, Kristina M.; Asch, Steven M.; Golden, Joya F.; Glik, Deborah C.

doi:10.2105/ajph.2005.084335

Cited by 357 publications

(296 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Furthermore, adult education has conducted basic research into the special skills held by professionals who work effectively with adults (Buiskool et al 2010), such as good communication skills. The DRR action field of risk communication is one field where such knowledge could be applied (Eisenman et al 2007; Australian Government/ Attorney-General's Department 2012; CDC 2013). As individual actions mitigating against or preparing for disasters are based on individual risk perceptions (Mishra et al 2011) and make a strong impact on how much stress individuals experience in threatening situations, professionally informed risk communication to individuals can positively influence coping capacity, give sufficient knowledge of what to do in the event of a disaster, and prevent mental overload.…”

Section: Adult Education's Contribution To Psychologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Resilience Building in Disaster Risk Reduction: Contributions from Adult Education

Höfler

2014

Int J Disaster Risk Sci

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This article discusses three questions: What opportunities exist to enhance psychological resilience in adults? Why should psychological resilience promotion be considered an important disaster risk reduction strategy? What contribution can adult education make to such a strategy? Psychological resilience is presented as relational and somewhat malleable, even in adulthood. Although psychological resilience building is often overlooked in social-level disaster risk reduction efforts, it is a key strategy for social resilience building. Questions regarding the extent to which mental resilience can be improved and the techniques with which to do so may be answered by research in the field of adult education. Basic learning and teaching research fundamentals are suggested to create psychological resilience-building strategies in adults.

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Section: Adult Education's Contribution To Psychologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Resilience Building in Disaster Risk Reduction: Contributions from Adult Education

Höfler

2014

Int J Disaster Risk Sci

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“…16,17 They also reinforce the notion that racial/ethnic minorities can have lower trust in government than whites, insofar as pill safety is a government responsibility. 22,25 However, additional study findings show that African Americans are more confident than whites in the government's abilities to deliver the pills. These findings are consistent with independent polls conducted at the same time showing greater trust in the federal government's actions among racial/ethnic minorities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such concerns can not only make racial/ethnic minorities less likely to seek out prophylaxis at a dispensing site, but can make them more vulnerable to misinformation and rumor during a crisis. 24,25 Strong communications outreach to Hispanics and African Americans that provides counterpoint messages will be critical in the event of a real attack. Further, it may be important to consider the possible underlying reasons for differential information, insofar as these may play a role in communications at the time of a real crisis and undermine efforts to disseminate relevant messages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…21 Differences in behavior between African Americans and whites appear related to differences in underlying attitudes toward government and related risk perceptions, social connectedness, and cultural and religious values, as well as differential abilities to access and act on information provided in emergencies. [22][23][24][25][26][27] Moreover, lower income and education levels, which are more common among racial/ethnic minorities, as well as preexisting health disparities contribute to more limited abilities to respond to public health emergencies while simultaneously increasing vulnerability. 5,8,28,29 While studies directly comparing the responses of Hispanics and whites to major emergencies are rare, available research does show related disparities in emergency preparedness, access to emergency information, ability to respond to government recommendations, and recovery from natural disasters, in particular.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Public Response to an Anthrax Attack: A Multiethnic Perspective

SteelFisher¹,

Blendon²,

Brulé³

et al. 2012

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, an

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The 2001 anthrax attacks emphasized the need to develop outreach that would more effectively support racial/ethnic minority populations during a bioterrorism incident. Given the importance of antibiotic prophylaxis in a future anthrax attack, it should be a priority to better support racial/ ethnic minorities in mass dispensing programs. To examine the needs and perspectives of racial/ ethnic minorities, this study used a nationally representative poll of 1,852 adults, including 1,240 whites, 261 African Americans, and 282 Hispanics. The poll examined public reactions to a "worst-case scenario" in which cases of inhalation anthrax are discovered without an identified source and the entire population of a city or town is asked to receive antibiotic prophylaxis within 48 hours. Findings suggest willingness across all racial/ethnic groups to comply with recommendations to seek prophylaxis at dispensing sites. However, findings also indicate possible barriers for racial/ethnic minorities, including greater concern about pill safety and multiple HHS Public Access Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript attacks as well as lesser knowledge about inhalation anthrax. Across all racial/ethnic groups, roughly half would prefer to receive antibiotics at mass dispensing sites rather than through the US Postal Service. People in racial/ethnic minority groups were more likely to say this preference stems from a desire to speak with staff or to exchange medication formulation or type. Findings suggest the need for tailored outreach to racial/ethnic minorities through, for example, emphasis on key messages and enhanced understandability in communications, increased staff for answering questions in relevant dispensing sites, and long-term trust building with racial/ethnic minority communities.During the 2001 anthrax attacks, public health officials were challenged with providing antibiotic prophylaxis to a racially and ethnically diverse group of people who had likely been exposed to Bacillus anthracis. [1][2][3] This experience emphasized the need to develop outreach and communications that would more effectively support racial/ethnic minority populations during a possible future bioterrorism incident. It should therefore be a priority to address the needs of racial/ethnic minority groups with respect to programs for mass dispensing of antibiotic prophylaxis, which form a central piece of the nation's capabilities for reducing mass casualties in the case of future anthrax attacks. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In order to improve mass dispensing programs for racial/ethnic minority groups, it is important to understand how people in racial/ethnic minorities might respond to such programs and whether that differs from majority white populations. 9 It may be particularly important to understand whether there are differences in attitudes about the dispensing programs or knowledge about disease etiology that might dissuade members of racial/ethnic minority groups from obtaining and taking antib...

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“…This sentiment was similar to that of residents of public housing in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. 43 The timeline shown in Fig. 1 presents an overview of the events in Red Hook in the weeks after Hurricane Sandy.…”

Section: Hurricane Sandy Events and Public Health Implications In Redmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons from Hurricane Sandy: a Community Response in Brooklyn, New York

et al. 2013

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The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased in recent decades; one example is Hurricane Sandy. If the frequency and severity continue or increase, adaptation and mitigation efforts are needed to protect vulnerable populations and improve daily life under changed weather conditions. This field report examines the devastation due to Hurricane Sandy experienced in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, a neighborhood consisting of geographically isolated low-lying commercial and residential units, with a concentration of low-income housing, and disproportionate rates of poverty and poor health outcomes largely experienced by Black and Latino residents. Multiple sources of data were reviewed, including street canvasses, governmental reports, community flyers, and meeting transcripts, as well as firsthand observations by a local nonprofit Red Hook Initiative (RHI) and community members, and social media accounts of the effects of Sandy and the response to daily needs. These data are considered within existing theory, evidence, and practice on protecting public health during extreme weather events. Firsthand observations show that a community-based organization in Red Hook, RHI, was at the center of the response to disaster relief, despite the lack of staff training in response to events such as Hurricane Sandy. Review of these data underscores that adaptation and response to climate change and likely resultant extreme weather is a dynamic process requiring an official coordinated governmental response along with on-the-ground volunteer community responders.

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Disaster Planning and Risk Communication With Vulnerable Communities: Lessons From Hurricane Katrina

Cited by 357 publications

References 27 publications

Psychological Resilience Building in Disaster Risk Reduction: Contributions from Adult Education

Psychological Resilience Building in Disaster Risk Reduction: Contributions from Adult Education

Public Response to an Anthrax Attack: A Multiethnic Perspective

Lessons from Hurricane Sandy: a Community Response in Brooklyn, New York

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