Bridging the Gap in Disaster Outcomes: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Reducing Outcome Disparities

This study investigates the impact of interpersonal factors on protective actions during natural hazards, with a focus on women and people of color. While social vulnerability indices have identified outcome disparities, this research aims to determine which factors are most influential in eliminating these disparities during and after natural hazards.

Using a mixed-methods participatory-social justice framework, I examine the potential influence of mental load, financial assets, and previous discrimination on protective action decisions. The research begins with five focus groups across different regions within the United States, covering a range of natural hazards including wildfires, flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, and winter weather. These focus groups will be used to inform a subsequent web-based questionnaire to collect broad-scale data on mental bandwidth, financial assets, sociodemographic variables, and hypothetical protective actions.

The study is grounded in a comprehensive literature review covering crucial topics including class-based discrimination, gendered differences in mental load and financial well-being, racial differences in risk perceptions, as well as predicted risks of climate-augmented storms will have across the United States. This theoretical foundation, combined with the framework of disaster racism, considers the legacy of historical systems that have shaped current interpersonal disparities.

By identifying “changeable” social factors that impact potential outcomes, we aim to inform policies that can effectively reduce disparities in natural hazard outcomes. This research addresses the gap between risk perceptions and actual outcomes, noting that increased knowledge of risk does not appear to be sufficient to improve results for vulnerable populations.

The study's findings will provide actionable insights for policymakers to enhance disaster preparedness and response strategies, ultimately working towards more equitable outcomes in the face of natural hazards.