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Hazard proximity and risk perception of tsunamis in coastal cities: Are people able to identify their risk?

ABSTRACT: Researchers have previously reported that hazard proximity can influence risk perception among individuals exposed to potential hazards. Understanding this relationship among coastline communities at risk of flood events caused by storms and/or tsunamis, is important because hazard proximity, should be recognized when planning and implementing preparation and mitigation actions against these events. Yet, we are not aware of studies that have examined this relationship among coastline inhabitants facing the risk of a tsunami. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between hazard proximity and perceived risk from tsunamis among coastline inhabitants. Participants were 487 residents of the coastal city of Iquique, Chile. They completed a survey during the spring of 2013 that assessed their perceived risk from several natural and non-natural hazards. We found that hazard proximity maintains a negative relationship with the perception of tsunami risk among coastline inhabitants. While this result confirms the general trend obtained in previous studies, this one is conclusive and significant. In contradiction with previous findings, we found that participants from the highest socioeconomic status reported the highest levels of risk perception. This finding can be explained by the fact that most participants from the highest socioeconomic status live closer to the coastline areas, so their risk perception reflects the place where they live, that is in a tsunami inundation zone. Once again, hazard proximity proved to be a determinant factor of risk perception. Our findings have important implications for the development of plans and programs for tsunami preparedness and mitigation. These indicate that individuals do use environmental cues to evaluate their own risk and can potentially make correct choices when having or not to evacuate. Also suggest that preparedness should incorporate how hazard proximity is recognized by individuals and communities at risk.

SUBMITTER: Arias JP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5663374 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Hazard proximity and risk perception of tsunamis in coastal cities: Are people able to identify their risk?

Arias Juan Pablo JP Bronfman Nicolás C NC Cisternas Pamela C PC Repetto Paula B PB

PloS one 20171031 10

Researchers have previously reported that hazard proximity can influence risk perception among individuals exposed to potential hazards. Understanding this relationship among coastline communities at risk of flood events caused by storms and/or tsunamis, is important because hazard proximity, should be recognized when planning and implementing preparation and mitigation actions against these events. Yet, we are not aware of studies that have examined this relationship among coastline inhabitants ...[more]

PMID: 29088230

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Normal aging is associated with balance, mobility and working memory decline that increase fall risk and influence activity of daily living functions. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity. Research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. The primary objectives of this three arm intervention pilot study were to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on balance, gait, fall risk and working memory among community-dwelling older individuals. The secondary objective was to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on safety of street-crossing among community-dwelling older individuals. METHODS:Forty-two healthy participants aged 65 or older were enrolled into one of three intervention groups: aquatic physical intervention (API) (N?=?13), on-land physical intervention (OLPI) (N?=?14) or non-physical intervention (NPI) (N?=?15). The intervention took place from 2018 until 2019 at Tel-Aviv University, Sheba medical center and Reich Center. The protocol included 30-min sessions twice a week for 12?weeks. Balance, gait and fall risk were assessed by the Tinneti test, working memory abilities were assessed by digit span and Corsi blocks tests and simulated safe streets-crossing was assessed by the hazard perception test for pedestrians. Testing and data collection was conducted at baseline, after six weeks and 12?weeks of intervention. All members of the professional team involved in evaluating participants were blind to the intervention group to which participants were allocated. RESULTS:The differences in Tinetti balance (F (2, 39)=10.03, p?<?0.01), fall risk (F (2, 39)=5.62, p0?>?.05), digit span forward (F (2, 39)=8.85, p?<?0.01) and Corsi blocks forward (F (2, 39)=3.54, p?<?0.05) and backward (F (2, 39)=6.50, p?<?0.05) scores after 12?weeks between the groups were significant. The API group showed improved scores. The differences in hazard perception test for pedestrians scores after 12?weeks of intervention between the groups were marginally significant (F (2, 39)=3.13, p?=?0.055). The API group showed improved scores. CONCLUSIONS:These findings may affect experts working with the elderly population when making decisions concerning therapeutic prevention interventions for the deficiencies of elderly patients. Older adults practicing aquatic physical activity could contribute to their increased safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03510377. Date of registration: 10/31/2017.

Project description:BackgroundShort-term impacts of high temperatures on the elderly are well known. Even though Italy has the highest proportion of elderly citizens in Europe, there is a lack of information on spatial heat-related elderly risks.ObjectivesDevelopment of high-resolution, heat-related urban risk maps regarding the elderly population (? 65).MethodsA long time-series (2001-2013) of remote sensing MODIS data, averaged over the summer period for eleven major Italian cities, were downscaled to obtain high spatial resolution (100 m) daytime and night-time land surface temperatures (LST). LST was estimated pixel-wise by applying two statistical model approaches: 1) the Linear Regression Model (LRM); 2) the Generalized Additive Model (GAM). Total and elderly population density data were extracted from the Joint Research Centre population grid (100 m) from the 2001 census (Eurostat source), and processed together using "Crichton's Risk Triangle" hazard-risk methodology for obtaining a Heat-related Elderly Risk Index (HERI).ResultsThe GAM procedure allowed for improved daytime and night-time LST estimations compared to the LRM approach. High-resolution maps of daytime and night-time HERI levels were developed for inland and coastal cities. Urban areas with the hazardous HERI level (very high risk) were not necessarily characterized by the highest temperatures. The hazardous HERI level was generally localized to encompass the city-centre in inland cities and the inner area in coastal cities. The two most dangerous HERI levels were greater in the coastal rather than inland cities.ConclusionsThis study shows the great potential of combining geospatial technologies and spatial demographic characteristics within a simple and flexible framework in order to provide high-resolution urban mapping of daytime and night-time HERI. In this way, potential areas for intervention are immediately identified with up-to-street level details. This information could support public health operators and facilitate coordination for heat-related emergencies.

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Dataset Information

Hazard proximity and risk perception of tsunamis in coastal cities: Are people able to identify their risk?

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Hazard proximity and risk perception of tsunamis in coastal cities: Are people able to identify their risk?

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