| Description: | This study was conducted to determine how effective a new publication regarding increased risk from earthquake hazards in southern California was in educating the public, particularly minority populations. Also studied was the effectiveness of television and radio media in providing information regarding the increased earthquake risk as well as the existence and availability of the new earthquake handbooks at local libraries. The researchers surveyed and interviewed residents from Pasadena at local libraries where the earthquake hazard handbook had been distributed and compared the responses of White, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and “Other” minority groups. The study showed differences in the percentage of residents who were knowledgeable regarding the increased earthquake risk based on ethnicity. Also varying by ethnicity was the media type most relied on to obtain information, perceived likelihood of a major earthquake in the next ten years, perceived damage and costs caused by such an earthquake, preparedness measures taken, and whether or not they knew about and/or had read the handbook. |