title: Exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster and 9/11-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Household Disaster Preparedness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a population with prior exposure to the World Trade Center disaster, this study sought to determine the subsequent level of preparedness for a new disaster and how preparedness varied with population characteristics that are both disaster-related and non-disaster-related.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 4496 World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who completed the Wave 3 (2011-2012) and Hurricane Sandy (2013) surveys. Participants were considered prepared if they reported possessing at least 7 of 8 standard preparedness items. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between preparedness and demographic and medical factors, 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed at Wave 3, 9/11 exposure, and social support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over one-third (37.5%) of participants were prepared with 18.8% possessing all 8 items. The item most often missing was an evacuation plan (69.8%). Higher levels of social support were associated with being prepared. High levels of 9/11 exposure were associated with being prepared in both the PTSD and non-PTSD subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that prior 9/11 exposure favorably impacted Hurricane Sandy preparedness. Future preparedness messaging should target people with low social support networks. Communications should include information on evacuation zones and where to find information about how to evacuate.
authors.affiliation: 1World Trade Center Health Registry,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,Long Island City,New York.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.affiliation: 1World Trade Center Health Registry,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,Long Island City,New York.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caramanica
authors.affiliation: 2Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,Long Island City,New York.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sisco
authors.affiliation: 1World Trade Center Health Registry,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,Long Island City,New York.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Brackbill
authors.affiliation: 1World Trade Center Health Registry,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,Long Island City,New York.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Stellman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Hurricane Sandy; World Trade Center; post-traumatic stress disorder; preparedness