Factors Predicting Individual Emergency Preparedness: A Multi-state Analysis of 2006 BRFSS Data

Abstract

Disasters pose a very real threat to every individual in the United States. One way to mitigate the threat of disasters is through personal preparedness, yet numerous studies indicate that individual Americans are not prepared for a disaster. This study attempted to identify the factors most likely to predict individual disaster preparedness. We used 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from the 5 states that included the optional general preparedness module. Respondents were defined as being "prepared" if they were deficient in no more than 1 of the 6 actionable preparedness measures included on the BRFSS. Analyses were conducted comparing preparedness rates based on medical and demographic factors. Using logistic regression, a predictive model was constructed to identify which factors most strongly predicted an individual's likelihood of being prepared. Although 78% of respondents reported feeling prepared for a disaster, just 45% of respondents were actually prepared by objective measures. Factors predicting an increased likelihood of preparedness included feeling "well prepared" (OR 9.417), having a disability or health condition requiring special equipment (OR 1.298), being 55 to 64 years old (OR 1.794), and having an annual income above $50,000 (OR 1.286). Among racial and ethnic minorities, an inability to afford medical care in the previous year (OR .581) was an important factor in predicting a decreased likelihood of being prepared. This study revealed a pervasive lack of disaster preparedness overall and a substantial gap between perceived and objective preparedness. Income and age were important predictors of disaster preparedness.

Is emergency preparedness a ‘disaster’ for people with disabilities in the US? Results from the 2006–2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

“…According to this present research, emergency preparedness has not significantly improved for persons with or without disabilities. Research by Ablah, Konda, and Kelley (2009) was consistent with the present study, finding that of persons who reported they 'needed special equipment' over one-half (56.2%) said they were prepared.…”

Ready or Not? How Citizens and Public Officials Perceive Risk and Preparedness

“…Findings across these studies are inconsistent, but generally have shown that homeownership, family structure (being married and having children at home), age, education, and income are positively associated with preparedness (Ablah et al, 2009;Edwards, 1993;Miceli et al, 2007;Sattler, Kaiser, & Hittner, 2000), while results are mixed with regard to variation by gender and race. Though some studies find otherwise (e.g., Farley, Barlow, Finkelstein, & Riley, 1993), many have found that those who have experienced a disaster tend to be more prepared (CEG, 2007;Miceli et al, 2007;Mileti, 1999;Mileti & Darlington, 1997;Sattler et al, 2000, among others), and to have adapted and learned from prior experience, making them more effective (Tierney et al, 2001).…”

“…just over a third who said they 'have been prepared for at least the past six months' did not have a household plan, nearly 80 percent had not conducted a home evacuation drill, and nearly 70 percent did not know their community's evacuation routes. (FEMA, 2009, 18) Likewise, Ablah, Konda, and Kelley (2009) find that while 78% of respondents report feeling prepared, only 45% actually were by objective measures. This disjuncture between citizen beliefs and objective truth is a challenge to preparedness programs.…”

Vested interest: developing scales for assessing flooding preparedness

“…Recall that income has been shown to be a predictor of increased levels of preparedness (Ablah et al, 2009). The model was significant, predicting 19.1 percent of the variance in perceptions of preparedness.…”