Optimizing Disaster Preparedness Planning for Minority Older Adults: One Size Does Not Fit All

Omolola E. Adepoju, Luz Herrera, Minji Chae and Daikwon Han
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Omolola E. Adepoju: Department of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Luz Herrera: School of Law, Texas A&M University, Fort Worth, TX 76102, USA
Minji Chae: Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Daikwon Han: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, TX 77843, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: By 2050, one in five Americans will be 65 years and older. The growing proportion of older adults in the U.S. population has implications for many aspects of health including disaster preparedness. This study assessed correlates of disaster preparedness among community-dwelling minority older adults and explored unique differences for African American and Hispanic older adults. An electronic survey was disseminated to older minority adults 55+, between November 2020 and January 2021 ( n = 522). An empirical framework was used to contextualize 12 disaster-related activities into survival and planning actions. Multivariate logistic regression models were stratified by race/ethnicity to examine the correlates of survival and planning actions in African American and Hispanic older adults, separately. We found that approximately 6 in 10 older minority adults did not perceive themselves to be disaster prepared. Medicare coverage was positively associated with survival and planning actions. Income level and prior experience with disaster were related to survival actions in the African American population. In conclusion, recognizing the gaps in disaster-preparedness in elderly minority communities can inform culturally sensitive interventions to improve disaster preparedness and recovery.

Keywords: minority; older adults; disaster preparedness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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