Disability and Health Journal
Volume 2, Issue 2 , Pages 86-94, April 2009

Personal emergency preparedness for people with disabilities from the 2006-2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

  • Diane L. Smith, Ph.D., O.T.R./L.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65203, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author: 423 Lewis Hall. Fax: (573) 884-2610.
    • ,
  • Stephen J. Notaro, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

Abstract 

Background

People with disabilities may be disproportionately at risk of injury or death in emergency situations due to physical, cognitive, and socioeconomic factors. These factors individually or in combination have the potential to affect response to emergencies before, during, or after the incident. This study examines general emergency preparedness of persons with disabilities compared to those without disabilities.

Methods

The 2006-2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System of 6 states included 188,288 self-reported respondents with disabilities who were surveyed regarding their general emergency preparedness. Chi square analysis examined the relationship of general preparedness variables with disability status. Logistic regression analysis examined how various demographic variables affected the likelihood of being unprepared for an emergency.

Results

Persons with disabilities were significantly more likely to state that they were not prepared at all for an emergency. They were also less likely to have a 3-day supply of water, a working battery-operated radio, and a working flashlight and to evacuate an emergency situation. Persons with a disability are 1.22 times more likely to be unprepared for an emergency. For those with a disability, being female, nonwhite, with less education, less income, and uncoupled and living in an urban area increase the likelihood of being unprepared for an emergency.

Conclusion

Increased effort must be made to empower persons with disabilities to become involved in their own emergency preparedness. Efforts are being made by several government and nongovernmental organizations to assist in this effort though most have not addressed specific needs of vulnerable populations within the disability community. Strategies for emergency preparedness must be considerate of these high risk populations. Finally, mechanisms must be developed to connect persons within the disability community to the information necessary on emergency preparedness through methods such as telehealth.

Keywords: Emergency preparedness, Disability, Prevention

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 The authors have no relevant current or potential financial conflicts of interest with regard to the production of this manuscript. This includes direct or indirect financial or personal relationships, interests and affiliations relevant to the subject matter of the manuscript that have occurred over the last 2 years or that are expected in the foreseeable future. There are also no conflicts of interest by either of the authors with regard to production of this manuscript.

PII: S1936-6574(09)00004-1

doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.01.001

Disability and Health Journal
Volume 2, Issue 2 , Pages 86-94, April 2009

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