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5 (1 votes)

FINDINGS: Previous research has shown that minorities have particularly cohesive extended household ties. For this study, UCLA researchers interviewed 58 randomly selected evacuees – mostly low-income African Americans – who relocated from New Orleans to Houston within the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The researchers found that the evacuees’ strong loved ones ties had a profound influence on factors affecting evacuation, including transportation decisions, access to shelter and how they perceived evacuation messages. These ties both facilitated and hindered their evacuation.

IMPACT: Disaster plans should take into account the influence that extended household ties and social networks have in decision-making among vulnerable and minority communities.

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AUTHORS: David P. Eisenman, Kristina M. Cordasco, Steve Asch and Deborah Glik of UCLA and Joya F. Golden of the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Asch is also affiliated with all the VA Higher Los Angeles Healthcare System and the Rand Corp.

JOURNAL: American Journal of Public Health, April concern.

FUNDING: The National Science Foundation-supported Natural Hazards Research and Application Information Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Contact: Enrique Rivero
University of California – Los Angeles