Immigrants and refugees in Olmsted County, Minnesota: Challenges and opportunities for emergency preparedness

Background: Risk communication is traditionally used for disease prevention, product safety and injury prevention. Emergency preparedness for persons with limited English proficiency is a risk communication process requiring detailed planning and knowledge about immigrants' and refugees' risk perceptions, cultural values, where they turn for reliable information, and English language skills. As Olmsted County becomes more diverse (5% minority population in 1990 and 13% in 2006; 65 languages spoken in the public schools), it is imperative to assess effective ways to communicate with immigrants and refugees before, during and after an emergency/disaster.

Methods/Results: US Census, State and County data were used to define a demographic profile of immigrants and refugees. Key informant technique was selected to identify community leaders, media and service/faith organizations trusted by immigrants and refugees for critical information, networks, employment sites, language skills, among others. Potential informants were identified by the Community Research Advisory Committee. Fifteen interviews per group will be completed by this summer for Somali, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Hispanic. The demographic profile was completed and is a useful tool for organizing health promotion/prevention outreach activities.

Conclusions: Catastrophic incident becomes a greater health threat if preparedness plans do not address the unique risks and cultural barriers of immigrants and refugees with limited English proficiency. The key informant technique ensures that messages are culturally and linguistically appropriate, consistent and meet information needs of target populations.