Will Public Health’s Response to Terrorism be Fair? Racial/Ethnic Variations in Perceived Fairness during a Bioterrorist Event

Public health departments' effectiveness during catastrophic bioterrorism will require trust on the part of diverse communities. This study describes variations in perceptions that the public health system will respond fairly to one's needs in a bioterrorist event, regardless of race/ethnicity, income, or other characteristics.  Using the Los Angeles County Health Survey, a random-digit, population-based, telephone survey, we conducted multivariate logistic regression of race/ethnicity on perceived fairness, adjusting for demographic factors and perceived neighborhood safety. We performed similar analyses stratified by race/ethnicity subgroup.  Overall, 72.7% of respondents perceived that the public health system will respond fairly in a bioterrorist event. African Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders reported the lowest perceived fairness.  Adjusting for demographic factors and neighborhood safety, African Americans had lower perceived fairness compared to whites.  Other factors associated with lower perceived fairness included Asian-language compared to English-language interview and lower compared to higher neighborhood safety.  Among African Americans, participants aged 18-29 years were less likely to report perceived compared to participants older than 60 years of age. Among Asian/Pacific Islanders, Asian-language interview and lower perceived neighborhood safety were associated with perceived fairness.

Eisenman D, Wold C, Setodji C, Hickey S, Lee B, Stein B, Long A.” Will  Public Health’s Response to Terrorism Be Fair? Racial/Ethnic Variations in Perceived Fairness during a Bioterrorist Event.” Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science. July 1, 2004, 2(3): 146-156. doi:10.1089/bsp.2004.2.146