Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Concerns and future preparedness plans of a vulnerable population in New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy
Joanna Burger1, Michael Gochfeld2, Clifton Lacy3
1Distinguished Professor of Biology, Division of Life Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute and School of Public Health, Rutgers University, United States.
Abstract:
Knowing how people prepare for disasters is essential to developing resiliency strategies. This study examined recalled concerns, evacuation experiences, and the future preparedness plans of a vulnerable population in New Jersey, United States, following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Understanding the responses of minority communities is key to protecting them during forthcoming disasters. Overall, 35 per cent of respondents were not going to prepare for an event. Intended future preparedness actions were unrelated to respondents' ratings of personal impact. More Blacks and Hispanics planned on preparing than Whites (68 versus 55 per cent), and more Hispanics planned on evacuating than did others who were interviewed. A higher percentage of respondents who had trouble getting to health centres were going to prepare than others. Respondents' concerns were connected to safety and survival, protecting family and friends, and having enough food and medicine, whereas future actions included evacuating earlier and buying sufficient supplies to shelter in place.
Related Concept Videos
Preparedness and Phobias
Sampling Plans
Random sampling is a method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. It involves selecting individuals randomly, often using random number generators or lottery-type methods. For example, when analyzing the properties of a...
Conservation of Small Populations
What is Population Genetics?
Population Growth
What are Populations and Communities?

