title: Health-related quality of life domains and household preparedness for public health emergencies: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2006-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the association between self-reported levels of household disaster preparedness and a range of physical and mental health quality of life outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected from 14 states participating in a large state-based telephone survey were analyzed (n = 104 654). Household disaster-preparedness items included having a 3-day supply of food, water, and prescription medications; a working battery-powered radio and flashlight; an evacuation plan; and a willingness to evacuate when instructed to do so. Quality-of-life items were categorized into 2 domains: physical health (general health, unhealthy physical days, and activity-limited days) and mental health (unhealthy mental days, social and emotional support, and life satisfaction).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Persons with self-reported impaired mental health were generally less likely to report being prepared for a disaster than those who did not report impairment in each domain. Persons with low life satisfaction were among the least likely to be prepared, followed by those with inadequate social and emotional support, and then by those with frequent mental distress. Persons reporting physical impairments also reported deficits in many of the preparedness items. However, after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, some of the associations were attenuated and no longer significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persons reporting impaired quality of life are vulnerable to increased mental and physical distress during a disaster, and their vulnerability is compounded if they are ill-prepared. Therefore, persons reporting impaired quality of life should be included in the list of vulnerable populations that need disaster preparedness and response outreach.
authors.affiliation: Office of Science and Public Health Practice, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Tara W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Strine
authors.affiliation: Office of Science and Public Health Practice, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Neff
authors.affiliation: Office of Science and Public Health Practice, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult