In the Wake of the Storm: Environment, Disaster, and Race After Katrina

Studies evidence of environmental disparities by which poor and minority communities are disproportionately exposed to disasters, are less prepared, and have less access to relief agencies. Makes recommendations for preparedness and environmental justice

The volunteer potential of inactive nurses for disaster preparedness

Objectives: Inactive nurses\u27 interest in volunteering for emergency preparedness was examined. Methods: A mail survey was sent to the entire Vermont Board of Nursing list of in-state inactive and lapsed registered nurses (n = 3,682). A high rate of undeliverable surveys (60%) was found and 611 surveys were returned for a 20% response rate. Results: Twenty-seven percent of the respondents were interested in volunteering. Those interested in participating in volunteer work as part of a national homeland security effort were significantly more likely to (a) be younger in age (p \u3c 0.0001); (b) identify themselves as being a nurse (p = 0.001); (c) be employed versus retired (p = 0.002); and (d) be currently volunteers (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Because 33% of the nation\u27s nurses are over age 50, inactive nurses offer a potentially large pool of volunteers for emergency preparedness training and response in the years to come. © Blackwell Publishing, Inc