Predictors of Individual-Level Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Trust in Disaster Assistance in the United States, 2024.

OBJECTIVES

Preparation for disasters at an individual level is one of the most fundamental and least expensive methods to prepare for disasters. We investigated predictors for individual-level natural disaster preparedness and trust in disaster assistance among adults aged ≥18 years in the United States.

METHODS

To examine individual-level preparedness for natural disasters in the United States, we conducted an online survey grounded in the theory of planned behavior from April 24 through June 3, 2024. We used logistic regression models to analyze relationships between individual-level preparedness outcomes and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics (P < .05 indicated significance).

RESULTS

A total of 2898 individuals completed the survey. Individual-level preparedness for natural disasters and trust in disaster assistance were significantly higher among respondents previously affected by a natural disaster, who were 233% and 134% more likely to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit, respectively, than respondents with no disaster experience. Female respondents were 21% and 19% less likely to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit, respectively, than male respondents, and unemployed respondents were 41% and 47% less likely to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit, respectively, than employed respondents. Age, annual household income, and political affiliation were also significant predictors for selected aspects of individual-level preparedness. For example, respondents aged ≥65 years were 63% more likely to state confidence in knowing where to get disaster information than respondents aged 18 to 34 years.

CONCLUSIONS

With a likelihood of more frequent and severe disasters in the future, public health officials should recognize differences among predictors of individual-level preparedness for disasters and develop strategies to address gaps in preparedness across demographic groups and subpopulations.