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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sarah Bauerle Bass, PhD, MPH¹, Brenda Seals, PhD, MPH¹, and Alice Hausman, PhD, MPH². (1) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad St., Room 304, Philadelphia, PA 19122, 215-204-5110, sbass@temple.edu, (2) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 1700 North Broad, Room 304, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Effective communication is key to maintaining order during emergencies. Little is known, however, about what communication modes different population segments favor. This paper presents results from a random-digit dialed survey of 1618 Pennsylvanians who were asked to report their level of preparedness and preferred communication channels during an emergency. Demographic characteristics reveal significant differences. Results showed that those over age 65 were significantly more likely to say they would talk to a priest and contact a public health agency or local government to get disaster information (p=.000). Those with a college degree were significantly less likely to say they would purchase emergency supplies or report suspicious behavior to the police. Those with less than a high school education were more likely to say they would volunteer during a disaster (p=.000). Differences in ethnicity and gender reveal that Blacks were more likely to talk to a priest or contact a public health department compared to other races and females generally responded that they were more likely to use all communication channels more than men. Finally, those making over $80,000 would more often use TV/radio as a source of information whereas those who made less than $40,000 were more likely to contact a public health department or a local government (p=.000). Appropriate risk communication strategies are an essential component of a public health response to emergencies. Understanding differences in how segments of the population will react, and which communication channels they are most likely to turn to, can help develop those strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will understand how demographic characteristics are associated with preferred communication channels during an emergency.
• Participants will recognize which demographic characteristics are associated with emergency preparedness.
• Participants will learn how important developing tailored risk communication materials are during an emergency.

Keywords: Disasters, Risk Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered