Hazard Adjustment Research Articles

Nonstructural Seismic Preparedness of Southern California Hospitals

This study was conducted to assess the level of adoption of nonstructural seismic hazard adjustments by hospitals in Southern California, and to identify the factors that lead to adoption of these adjustments. Results provide evidence that hospitals in Southern California have partially implemented a variety of earthquake preparedness and mitigation activities. However, many adjustments specific only to earthquake hazard were not commonly implemented, and this is cause for concern. Successful implementation of nonstructural measures is most likely to occur in large hospitals having government or not-for-profit ownership, high levels of perceived support for seismic risk reduction from upper administrators, and frequent interaction of the hospital disaster coordinator with those in similar roles at other organizations.

Household Adoption of Seismic Hazard Adjustments: A Comparison of Residents in Two States

Residents of a high seismic hazard uvea were compared with those in a moderate seismic hazard area in terms of demographic characteristics, personal hazard experience, risk perception, hazard intrusiveness, and self-reported adoption of 16 hazard adjustments (preimpact actions to reduce danger to persons and property). The results show that the two locations differed substantially in hazard experience, somewhat less so in risk perceptions and hazard intrusiveness, and little in hazard adjustment. Multiple regression analyses supported a causal chain in which location and demographic characteristics cause hazard experience, hazard experience causes hazard intrusiveness, perceived risk causes hazard intrusiveness, and hazard intrusiveness causes the adoption of hazard adjustments.

Household Adjustment to Earthquake Hazard

Data from 23 studies confirm theoretical predictions that households’ adoption of earthquake hazard adjustments is correlated with their perceptions of the hazard and alternative adjustments, demographic characteristics, and social influences. However, some findings require modification of existing theories of hazard adjustment. Examination of the methods used in previous investigations underscores a need for better theories, more complete testing of existing theories, and improved data analytic and data reporting procedures in future tests of those theories.

Correlates of household seismic hazard adjustment adoption.

This study examined the relationships of self-reported adoption of 12 seismic hazard adjustments (pre-impact actions to reduce danger to persons and property) with respondents' demographic characteristics, perceived risk, perceived hazard knowledge, perceived protection responsibility, and perceived attributes of the hazard adjustments. Consistent with theoretical predictions, perceived attributes of the hazard adjustments differentiated among the adjustments and had stronger correlations with adoption than any of the other predictors. These results identify the adjustments and attributes that emergency managers should address to have the greatest impact on improving household adjustment to earthquake hazard.

Earthquake Impacts and Hazard Adjustment by Acutely Hazardous Materials Facilities following the Northridge Earthquake

Hazardous materials pose a problem of great significance for earthquake hazard reduction because severe earthquakes can simultaneously fail independent systems for on-site release mitigation and off-site emergency response. Unfortunately, the potential for major earthquake-initiated hazmat releases (EIHRs) has received little attention from earthquake researchers and planners. This study assessed the extent of on-site and off-site damage to fixed-site hazmat facilities and the hazard adjustments (i.e., hazard assessment, hazard mitigation, and emergency preparedness actions) that these facilities implemented before and after the Northridge earthquake. Data on the occurrence of chemical containment and infrastructure systems impacts confirms that hazmat facility infrastructure is vulnerable to seismic impacts. Hazard adjustments were undertaken after the earthquake, but were unrelated to the level of earthquake impact. These results suggest that comprehensive EIHR loss estimation studies should be conducted for seismic zones throughout the country, especially for clusters of hazmat facilities subject to the threat of damaging earthquakes.

Effect of older age on survival in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease.

To evaluate the impact of older age (> 50 years old) on survival in late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, the authors analyzed 846 HIV-infected patients at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1987 to 1992. The median age was 42 years with 171 (20.2%) subjects aged 50 or more years. Survival was measured from the date of initial lymphocyte testing (median CD4 count, 223 cells/mm3) until death or censoring. Compared with those aged less than 40 years, and after multivariate proportional hazards adjustment for other significant determinants of survival (CD4 percentage, CD8 count, hematocrit, and prior acquired immunodeficiency syndrome diagnosis), there was no difference in survival for those aged 40-49 years, but there was a trend toward decreased survival in those aged 50-59 years (relative hazard = 1.32, 95% confidence interval 0.90-1.94) and in those aged 60 or more years (relative hazard = 1.56, 95% confidence interval 0.99-2.46). The impact of older age on mortality in HIV disease is, however, less than the impact of age on overall mortality in the United States. Accordingly, while older HIV-infected patients do have a somewhat poorer survival, this risk need not be too highly emphasized in individual patients; older patients deserve aggressive management.

Predicting Long-Term Adjustment to Volcano Hazard

This study examined the long term patterns of protective response to the threat of volcanic eruption at Mt. St. Helens. Data collected from a sample of 103 affected residents were examined to determine the frequency of adoption and interrelationships among five actions-insurance purchase, evacuation preparation, purchase of specialized equipment, and mitigation actions for ash fall threat or for mudflow / flood threats—that could be taken to protect personal safety and property. Eight variables-hazard salience, threat knowledge, perceived risk from ashfall, perceived risk from mud flows and floods, previous damage, emergency planning, information from relatives and information from friends-were hypothesized to be associated with higher levels of hazard adjustment. All variables except those relating to information sources were found to have significant positive correlations with the level of hazard adjustment, although the regression coefficient for one variable, perceived risk from ashfall, became nonsignificant when all variables were entered into a regression equation. The results suggest directions for future research, as well as strategies that public safety officials can take to enhance the level of adjustment by the population at risk.

Public and private adjustment to the bush fire hazard in Australia: empirical evidence from New South Wales

Summary The theme of energized hazard adjustment systems is used as a vehicle by which to examine the theory which has emerged from studies of natural, geophysical hazards and evaluate its applicability to the quasi‐natural, biological hazard of bush fire in Australia. In terms of hazard geography bush fires are of special interest as they are one of the few hazards which have evoked a relatively high level of human adjustment, while in terms of hazard management the study is of importance in that, prior to it, relatively little was known about private patterns of adjustment to this particular hazard. The results of the study are largely supportive of the conclusions emerging from other hazard work. Where there are significant differences, these may be traced to the unique nature of the bush fire hazard. The importance of integrating public and private forms of adjustment in order to achieve a comprehensive or postindustrial adjustment level is emphasized.

Hazard Adjustment, Locus of Control, and Sensation Seeking

Interviews were carried out with 328 residents of London, Ontario, to test the hypothesis that LOC and sensation seekinig are related to the tendency to adopt adjustments to natural and nonnatural hazards. Although there was no support for the hypothesis, secondary analysis revealed certain consistent patterns for the adoption of adjustments to both natural and nonnatural hazards, including a significant positive relationship between past experience and the tendency to adopt adjustments. Possible explanations for the findings are offered, and some directions for future research are suggested.

Public Policy and Private Enterprise in the Development of Flood Plains: A Laboratory Exercise in Physical Geography

Abstract This paper presents an exercise developed for use in introductory physical geography. The exercise is divided into three parts, each having specific objectives and methods for attaining these objectives. I. The nature of the flood hazard. Flooding is discussed as a natural process. A flood hydrograph is used to illustrate the natural and man-made factors which influence the nature and timing of the flood event. II. The extent of the flood hazard. Flood probabilities, return intervals, stage-susceptible areas are determined by the students enabling them to make quantitative assessments of the extent of the flood hazard. III. Formulating public policy: a simulation game. Roles representing various segments and interest groups of the community are given to groups of students. The groups then present hazard adjustment recommendations based on the nature and extent of the hazard and their role to a simulated public meeting. The various recommendations are discussed within established rules of order to reach agreement on public policy.