The National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities
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Developing a Disaster Preparedness Campaign Targeting Low-Income Latino Immigrants: Focus Group Results for Project PREP

Author(s):David P. Eisenman ; Deborah Glik ; Richard Maranon; Lupe Gonzales ; Steven Asch
Location:Los Angeles, California
Year: 2009
Available at:http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_health_care_for_the_poor_and_und...   (report broken link)
Description:

Low-income immigrant Latinos are particularly vulnerable to disasters because they are both ill-prepared and disproportionately affected. Disaster preparedness programs that are culturally appropriate must be developed and tested. To develop such a program, 12 focus groups were conducted with low-income immigrant Latinos to understand their perceptions and understanding of disaster preparedness, and facilitators and obstacles to it. Participants were concerned about remaining calm during an earthquake. Obstacles to storage of disaster supplies in a kit and developing a family communication plan were mentioned frequently. Misunderstandings were voiced about the proper quantity of water to store and about communication plans. Several focus groups spontaneously suggested small group discussions (platicas) as a way to learn about disaster preparedness. They wanted specific help with building their family communication plans. They rated promotoras de salud highly as potential teachers. Results will guide the development of a disaster preparedness program tailored to the needs of low-income Latino immigrants.

Language(s):English
Communities:Hispanic or Latino; Mexican American
Subtopic:
Phase 1 - Risk Perception
Phase 2 - Preparedness
Target Audience:Emergency Planners & Managers; Public Health Professionals; Researchers
Resource Type:
Qualitative Study
Journal Article
Citation:

Eisenman, D.P., Glik, D. Maranon, R., Gonzales, R., Asch, S. (2009). Developing a Disaster Preparedness Campaign Targeting Low-Income Latino Immigrants: Focus Group Results for Project PREP. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 20:330-345.

Contact Info:

David P.  Eisenman

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA—Division of General Internal Medicine and Health
Services Research, 911 Broxton Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1736; (310) 794-2452