Preparing Racially And Ethnically Diverse Communities For Public Health Emergencies

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans confirmed that effective implementation of public health preparedness programs and policies will require compliance from all racial and ethnic populations. This study reviews current resources and limitations and suggests future directions for integrating diverse communities into related strategies. It documents research and interventions, including promising models and practices that address preparedness for minorities. However, findings reveal a general lack of focus on diversity and suggest that future preparedness efforts need to fully integrate factors related to race, culture, and language into risk communication, public health training, measurement, coordination, and policy at all levels. [Health Affairs 26, no. 5 (2007):

Building Community Resilience to Disasters: A Way Forward to Enhance National Health Security

“…Communities that are already healthy (e.g., have a lower prevalence of chronic disease) are better able to withstand the trauma of a health incident (Aldrich & Benson, 2008), and will generally require less medical support before, during, and after a health incident (Kailes & Enders, 2007;Ku & Matani, 2001). Conversely, recovery may be more difficult for at-risk individuals and communities that have a lower level of wellness-in other words, for those with fewer resources to cope with or mitigate the impact of a health incident (Andrulis, Siddiqui, & Gantner, 2007;Fothergill, Maestas, & Darlington, 1999). All this suggests the need to address existing health conditions as well as population vulnerabilities (National Council on Disability, 2005), with special consideration given to at-risk populations, i.e., individuals with functional needs (Brodie et al, 2006;Norris et al, 2008).…”

“…Rationale: Different cultures perceive and respond to traumatic events differently. Some culturally or linguistically isolated populations (racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, rural populations) may misunderstand public health information, e.g., by underestimating risk (Andrulis et al, 2007;Carter-Pokras et al, 2007;Chen et al, 2007;Fothergill, Maestas, & Darlington, 1999;Shiu-Thornton et al, 2007).…”

Public Response to an Anthrax Attack: A Multiethnic Perspective

“…They may also need to consider partnering with leaders in relevant communities of color who can effectively help deliver information in a culturally meaningful way that will be trusted. 4 The findings from this study face 2 limitations. First, the poll asked participants to react to a hypothetical scenario, which may differ from the real-life circumstances and media description of any future attacks.…”

“…As one potential step in this process, it may be important to engage trusted local leaders from communities of color who can help build stronger bridges between dispensing programs and the communities they aim to serve. 4 either because they have not heard of the illness or because they hold the erroneous view that it is contagious. Thus, it is not surprising that both groups are more likely than whites to have concerns about getting contaminated from another person who is sick at a dispensing site.…”

“…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 antibiotic prophylaxis available at mass dispensing sites.…”