Maximizing participation of Hispanic community-based/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in emergency preparedness.
To better understand social and structural changes needed to maximize community-based participation in emergency preparedness, 27 organizations, representing 12 states, participated in a study of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. The study assessed social change needs (social will, community readiness, assets, and barriers) and structural needs (organizational capacity to integrate services into emergency management efforts locally). Results show high social will but little community readiness. Most non-governmental organizations (NGOs; 96%) were willing, but ill-prepared (65%) to face large-scale emergencies. Assets include bilingual/bicultural personnel, cultural competency, local knowledge, and public trust. Barriers include lack of culturally appropriate training and resources. Structurally, most NGOs want to link with voluntary organizations (79%) and public health departments (74%), but lack integration and coordination. Maximizing timely participation of these underutilized stakeholders in emergency planning can ensure culturally-proficient, community-tailored emergency plans, increased public confidence, and timely compliance with evacuation orders, thus helping to save lives.
Baezconde-Garbanati
Lourdes
L
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA 91803, USA. baezcond@usc.edu
Unger
Jennifer
J
Portugal
Cecilia
C
Delgado
Jane L
JL
Falcon
Adolph
A
Gaitan
Marcela
M
D003144:Communication Barriers; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003625:Data Collection; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D012924:Social Conditions; D014481:United States