Differences in disaster warning and community engagement between families with and without members suffering from chronic Diseases: The mediating role of satisfaction with warning service

Abstract

Early warning systems in disasters are crucial for life preservation and loss mitigation, endorsed globally by various UN agencies, governments, and disaster researchers. However, the social aspects pose significant challenges to the success of early warning. Using survey data from Sanya, a coastal city in China, our study explores the relationship between early warning services and community engagement. The primary warning channels are social media (SMS and WeChat), the Internet, and TV. These mediums, along with traditional and mass media, foster higher community engagement, like volunteer service and disaster risk reduction efforts. Satisfaction with warning service mediates these connections. Interestingly, families with chronic disease members are more likely to engage in community activities and utilize the Internet and social media for warnings. Notably, different patterns emerge when comparing families with and without chronic disease members, especially regarding Internet and social media usage. This study enhances our understanding of public adaptation to disaster warnings and provides insight for early warning services in the face of increasing climate change impacts and meteorological disasters.