Cal PREPARE: Emergency Preparedness & Response Research
Project 1. All-Hazards Communication to Improve the Resilience of Vulnerable Populations
Substantial evidence exists that all-hazards emergency preparedness and response efforts are not effectively
reaching vulnerable populations, especially those who have barriers related to literacy, language, culture, or
disabilities: 90 million Americans have low literacy, 22 million have limited English proficiency, and over
32 million are Deaf or hard-of-hearing (Deaf/HH). These groups face higher risks of injury, death, and
property loss as documented in recent disasters including 9/11, Katrina/Rita hurricanes, and the 2007
California wildfires—and illustrate the devastating effect of inequalities in our society.
Goals
The overall goal for this project within the PERRC is to assess and improve all-hazards preparedness
communication for selected vulnerable populations (Deaf/HH and Older Adults). We will recommend
participatory and systems approaches that can strengthen state emergency plans and health department and
community-based organization (CBO) communication capacities to benefit these groups. We are
implementing four inter-related research activities to address the identified research gaps. We believe the
studies will significantly deepen scientific understanding of preparedness communication for these
vulnerable groups and provide recommendations for improvement at national, state, and county levels.
Lead Investigators
• Linda Neuhauser, DrPH, Project Leader, UC Berkeley SPH, Health Research for Action
• Susan L. Ivey, MD, MHSA, Co-Project Leader, UC Berkeley SPH, Health Research for Action
Co-investigators
• William Satariano, PhD, MPH, Co-Investigator, UC Berkeley SPH, Healthy Aging Research Network
• Winston Tseng, PhD, Project Director, UC Berkeley SPH, Health Research for Action
• Donna Dahrouge, MPH, Project Coordinator, UC Berkeley SPH, Health Research for Action
• McKenzie Oliver, MPH, Project Coordinator, UC Berkeley SPH, Health Research for Action
Partners
• Âna-Marie Jones, Executive Director, Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters (CARD)
• Dr. Gary Kreps, PhD, Director, George Mason University Center for Risk Communications
• Kathy Dervin, MPH, PH Preparedness Chief, City of Berkeley Dept. of Health and Human Services
• Helisa Katz, MA, Adjunct Professor in Early Child Development, Samuel Merritt College
• Representative to be named, Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)
Aims
Aim 1: Examine national recommendations on preparedness communication for people who are Deaf/HH, assess the adoption of these recommendations in state emergency preparedness plans, and propose strategies to improve their adoption in national, state, and county plans.
Aim 2: Examine the availability of, and the literacy, linguistic, cultural, and functional characteristics of,
preparedness communication materials from public health agencies and CBOs in Alameda County,
California, that serve Deaf/HH and older adults.
Aim 3: Conduct a systems analysis of the all-hazards communication capacity and networks of a sample of CBOs that serve Deaf/HH and older adult populations.
Aim 4: Critique and improve the content, format, and delivery of preparedness materials for two target
populations using an action research approach, and assess the effectiveness of the revised communications.
Modified November 23, 2009 JD