title: Public response to an anthrax attack: a multiethnic perspective.
abstract: The 2001 anthrax attacks emphasized the need to develop outreach that would more effectively support racial/ethnic minority populations during a bioterrorism incident. Given the importance of antibiotic prophylaxis in a future anthrax attack, it should be a priority to better support racial/ethnic minorities in mass dispensing programs. To examine the needs and perspectives of racial/ethnic minorities, this study used a nationally representative poll of 1,852 adults, including 1,240 whites, 261 African Americans, and 282 Hispanics. The poll examined public reactions to a ''worst-case scenario'' in which cases of inhalation anthrax are discovered without an identified source and the entire population of a city or town is asked to receive antibiotic prophylaxis within 48 hours. Findings suggest willingness across all racial/ethnic groups to comply with recommendations to seek prophylaxis at dispensing sites. However, findings also indicate possible barriers for racial/ethnic minorities, including greater concern about pill safety and multiple attacks as well as lesser knowledge about inhalation anthrax. Across all racial/ethnic groups, roughly half would prefer to receive antibiotics at mass dispensing sites rather than through the US Postal Service. People in racial/ethnic minority groups were more likely to say this preference stems from a desire to speak with staff or to exchange medication formulation or type. Findings suggest the need for tailored outreach to racial/ethnic minorities through, for example, emphasis on key messages and enhanced understandability in communications, increased staff for answering questions in relevant dispensing sites, and long-term trust building with racial/ethnic minority communities.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Opinion Research Program, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. gsteel@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Gillian K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Steelfisher
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Blendon
authors.forename: Amanda S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Brulé
authors.forename: Eran N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Ben-Porath
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Bret M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Atkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000881:Anthrax / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis; D055885:Biohazard Release / Q000523:psychology; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D011639:Public Opinion; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents