• David P Eisenman, Cheryl Wold, Jonathan Fielding, Anna Long, Claude Setodji, Scot Hickey, and Lillian Gelberg.
• RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California 90407, USA. David_Eisenman@rand.org
• Am J Prev Med. 2006 Jan 1; 30 (1): 161-6.

BackgroundIncreasing individual preparedness for disasters, including large-scale terrorist attacks, is a significant concern of public health planners. As with natural disasters, individuals can help protect their health and safety by preparing for the emergency situation that may follow a terrorist event. Our study describes variations in preparedness among the population of Los Angeles County after the September 11, 2001 and subsequent anthrax attacks.MethodsIn 2004, the data were analyzed from the Los Angeles County Health Survey, a random-digit-dialed telephone survey of the non-institutionalized population in Los Angeles County fielded October 2002 through February 2003.ResultsOverall, 28.0% of respondents had emergency supplies, and 17.1% developed an emergency plan in the past year in response to the possibility of terrorism. Factors associated with having emergency supplies included African American (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.1-3.1) and Latino (AOR=1.5, 95% CI=1.0-2.4) race/ethnicity; having a household dependent agedConclusionsSome groups were more likely to adopt some, but not all, recommended preparedness activities. Identifying subpopulation differences in preparedness is important since different public health messages, programs, and distribution channels are required for different subgroups.

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