Disparity in disaster preparedness between racial/ethnic groups

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the association between race/ethnicity (including language subgroups among Hispanics) and disaster preparedness among Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey respondents.Methods BRFSS data were obtained for eight states which implemented the optional general preparedness module from 2006 through 2010. Three dependent variables were analyzed including presence of four preparedness items (i.e., food, water, flashlight, and radio), emergency evacuation plan, and 3-d supply of medication. Primary independent variable included race/ethnicity accounting for language of survey. Data were analyzed in 2011 and accounted for BRFSS sampling design.Results Black (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.56, 0.79), English-speaking Hispanic (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.34, 0.69) and Spanish-speaking Hispanic respondents (OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.29) were less likely than non-Hispanic white respondents to live in a household in which all members requiring medication had a 3-d supply. Results varied regarding presence of four preparedness items and an emergency evacuation plan.Conclusions Racial/ethnic minority groups were less likely to have medication supplies but only Spanish-speaking Hispanics were less likely to have an emergency evacuation plan than white respondents. Public health officials can use these findings to support targeting racial/ethnic minorities to increase the presence of preparedness items important to mitigate the effects of disasters, with particular emphasis on medication supplies and Spanish-speaking Hispanics.

Predicting small business demise after a natural disaster: an analysis of pre-existing conditions

“…Webb et al (2002) found a significant effect for business owners' risk perception on their business disaster preparedness activities, but also found ethnicity to have no significant influence on those business preparedness activities. Webb et al's (2002) findings indicate a propensity for non-white owners to prepare more for disasters, while Bethel et al (2013) found no disparity between general preparedness of ethnic minority groups and whites. Hocker (2005) reported that African-American businesses are more likely to fail than other businesses, with nearly two-thirds being in the retail and service sectors.…”

The perceptions of social responsibility for community resilience to flooding: the impact of past experience, age, gender and ethnicity

“…In relation to socio-economic status, Whittaker et al (2005) and Dunlap and Mertig (1995) suggested that affluence is not always a determining factor for environmental concern and a conservation ethos. Further, Bethel et al (2013) found that the difference in disaster preparedness (measured by medication supplies) in eight states in the USA was not due to factors related to socio-economic status. Particularly for this investigation, socio-economic status was not considered to be one of the most relevant factors.…”

Examining Social Vulnerability and Inequality: A Joint Analysis through a Connectivity Lens in the Urban Agglomerations of China

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