Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Stacy-Ann Christian

Abstract

Natural disasters cause catastrophic damage to a community through death, injury, and property loss. Urban areas are predisposed to these events due to their built environment and the dense population of vulnerable groups. Urban male Latino migrant workers are an at-risk population with multiple social determinants of health that should be considered when implementing risk reduction plans. Programs that do not target this entire community only enhance the vulnerability of this group. This study examined the relationship between poverty and household preparedness in this community, controlling for gender. The socioecological model provided the foundation for this retrospective secondary analysis. Statistical analysis included chi-squared testing and binominal logistic regression. Households with poorer incomes were less likely to be aware of preparedness information (p < .05). Similarly, poor households were less likely to know about emergency alerts (p < .05). They could not assemble 3 days of supplies at home to shelter in place (p < .05), and there was no difference in the ability to pack a go bag for evacuations; both poor and not poor households were less likely to perform this task (p < .05). Males were significantly less likely than females to gather supplies to shelter in place (p < .05) and evacuate (p < .05). The study findings highlight the need for poverty reduction and whole community initiatives. Positive social change is impacted by reducing variances in disaster preparedness programs, tailoring public health efforts to the needs of this community, and ultimately helping to promote healthy outcomes in urban male Latino migrant workers and their families.

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