Details:

Alternative Title:
Disaster Med Public Health Prep
Personal Author:
Strine, Tara W. ; Neff, Linda J. ; Crawford, Sara
Strine, Tara W. ; Neff, Linda J. ; Crawford, Sara Less -
Description:
Background

This study examined the association between self-reported levels of household disaster preparedness and a range of physical and mental health quality of life outcomes.

Methods

Data collected from 14 states participating in a large state-based telephone survey were analyzed (n 5 104 654). Household disaster-preparedness items included having a 3-day supply of food, water, and prescription medications; a working battery-powered radio and flashlight; an evacuation plan; and a willingness to evacuate when instructed to do so. Quality-of-life items were categorized into 2 domains: physical health (general health, unhealthy physical days, and activity-limited days) and mental health (unhealthy mental days, social and emotional support, and life satisfaction).

Results

Persons with self-reported impaired mental health were generally less likely to report being prepared for a disaster than those who did not report impairment in each domain. Persons with low life satisfaction were among the least likely to be prepared, followed by those with inadequate social and emotional support, and then by those with frequent mental distress. Persons reporting physical impairments also reported deficits in many of the preparedness items. However, after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, some of the associations were attenuated and no longer significant

Conclusion

Persons reporting impaired quality of life are vulnerable to increased mental and physical distress during a disaster, and their vulnerability is compounded if they are ill-prepared. Therefore, persons reporting impaired quality of life should be included in the list of vulnerable populations that need disaster preparedness and response outreach.


Subject:
[+]
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Disaster Planning
Female
Health Status
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Quality Of Life
Sex Factors
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress, Psychological
Vulnerable Populations
Young Adult

Source:
Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 7(2):191-200.
Pubmed ID:
24618171
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4704094
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
Name as Subject:
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (U.S.)
Place as Subject:
United States
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:b78e8bc8524b2d04851e6ef276e948897106afc4ef506b85fd30d003c337d3ae
File Type:

Supporting Files

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