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Differences in individual-level terrorism preparedness in Los Angeles County
David P Eisenman1, Cheryl Wold, Jonathan Fielding
1RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California 90407, USA. David_Eisenman@rand.org
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|January 18, 2006
Summary
Individual preparedness for terrorism varies. Some groups, like African Americans and Latinos, were more likely to have emergency supplies and plans. Tailored public health messages are needed for different subgroups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Preparedness
- Sociology
Background:
- Individual preparedness for disasters, including terrorist attacks, is a key public health concern.
- Preparedness is crucial for mitigating health and safety risks following terrorist events.
- This study examines preparedness variations in Los Angeles County post-9/11 and anthrax attacks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe variations in individual preparedness for terrorism in Los Angeles County.
- To identify factors associated with emergency preparedness behaviors.
- To inform targeted public health interventions for diverse subpopulations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 2004 Los Angeles County Health Survey.
- Telephone survey of the non-institutionalized population conducted from October 2002 to February 2003.
- Statistical analysis of factors associated with emergency supplies and plans.
Main Results:
- 28.0% of respondents had emergency supplies; 17.1% had an emergency plan.
- African American and Latino ethnicity, having dependents, being foreign-born, and higher perceived risk were linked to having supplies.
- African American ethnicity, having dependents, and physical disability were linked to having a plan.
Conclusions:
- Preparedness activities varied across different population subgroups.
- Certain groups were more likely to adopt specific preparedness measures.
- Public health strategies must be tailored to address the unique needs of diverse subpopulations.