African Americans Evacuated After Hurricane Katrina: An examination of social vulnerability

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The United States' public health system is a key line of defense in emergencies such as natural disasters. Responses to natural disasters are influenced by social vulnerability. Social vulnerability is related to social inequalities and it has a bearing on how vulnerable certain populations are to dangers from natural disasters. STUDY DESIGN: Six focus groups were conducted within 2 months of Hurricane Katrina. We examined the characteristics of those who did not evacuate and the factors that influenced their decision not to evacuate. POPULATION STUDIED: Convenience sample of 53 African American evacuees from New Orleans to Columbia, SC. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The majority of the participants were low income, not married, high school or less education, and men (67%). Participants also tended to be older (mean age 49.9), without children in the household (69%), and home renters (66%). All these factors have shown to be predictors of social vulnerability to natural disasters. Some common themes that impacted evacuation response were perceived racism in access to publicly provided transportation for evacuation, available cash, and contradictory evacuation orders from governmental officials. CONCLUSIONS: Participants' who did not evacuate were socially vulnerable in their ability to respond to evacuation requests. Most participants perceived racism as important in access to public transportation for evacuation. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY, DELIVERY OR PRACTICE: Top down disaster planning which presumes equal resources and capabilities for response actions will fail to address the needs of socially vulnerable populations. The plans should incorporate perspectives and needs of the socially vulnerable.