David P Eisenman1, Kristina M Cordasco, Steve Asch, Joya F Golden, Deborah Glik. 1. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Los Angeles, and the RAND Corporation, Calif 90095-1736, USA. deisenman@mednet.ucla.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We studied the experience of Hurricane Katrina evacuees to better understand factors influencing evacuation decisions in impoverished, mainly minority communities that were most severely affected by the disaster. METHODS: We performed qualitative interviews with 58 randomly selected evacuees living in Houston's major evacuation centers from September 9 to 12, 2005. Transcripts were content analyzed using grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: Participants were mainly African American, had low incomes, and were from New Orleans. Participants' strong ties to extended family, friends, and community groups influenced other factors affecting evacuation, including transportation, access to shelter, and perception of evacuation messages. These social connections cut both ways, which facilitated and hindered evacuation decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Effective disaster plans must account for the specific obstacles encountered by vulnerable and minority communities. Removing the more apparent obstacles of shelter and transportation will likely be insufficient for improving disaster plans for impoverished, minority communities. The important influence of extended families and social networks demand better community-based communication and preparation strategies.
OBJECTIVES: We studied the experience of Hurricane Katrina evacuees to better understand factors influencing evacuation decisions in impoverished, mainly minority communities that were most severely affected by the disaster. METHODS: We performed qualitative interviews with 58 randomly selected evacuees living in Houston's major evacuation centers from September 9 to 12, 2005. Transcripts were content analyzed using grounded theory methodology. RESULTS:Participants were mainly African American, had low incomes, and were from New Orleans. Participants' strong ties to extended family, friends, and community groups influenced other factors affecting evacuation, including transportation, access to shelter, and perception of evacuation messages. These social connections cut both ways, which facilitated and hindered evacuation decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Effective disaster plans must account for the specific obstacles encountered by vulnerable and minority communities. Removing the more apparent obstacles of shelter and transportation will likely be insufficient for improving disaster plans for impoverished, minority communities. The important influence of extended families and social networks demand better community-based communication and preparation strategies.
Authors: Mollyann Brodie; Erin Weltzien; Drew Altman; Robert J Blendon; John M Benson Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2006-03-29 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Michael T Schmeltz; Sonia K González; Liza Fuentes; Amy Kwan; Anna Ortega-Williams; Lisa Pilar Cowan Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2013-10 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Karen Bouye; Benedict I Truman; Sonja Hutchins; Roland Richard; Clive Brown; Joyce A Guillory; Jamila Rashid Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Belinda M Reininger; Sartaj Raja Alam; Sartaj Alam Raja; Ana Sanchez Carrasco; Zhongxue Chen; Barbara Adams; Joseph McCormick; Mohammad H Rahbar Journal: Disaster Med Public Health Prep Date: 2013-02 Impact factor: 1.385