Disaster communication and preparedness among middle-aged and older Latino migrants and seasonal farmworkers in western Oregon

Abstract

Background: Effective communication is essential for emergency preparedness, public health, and wildfire recovery. However, existing emergency communication is often tailored for individuals proficient in English, leading to the marginalization of middle-aged and older Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs) who lack English proficiency. This study explored the perceptions, communication, and coping strategies of MSFWs in Southern Oregon during the 2020 wildfire disaster, addressing a significant gap in disaster communication research. Methods: We conducted seven in-depth interviews with key informants and one MSFW focus group (N = 11). Key informants included local health and service providers, teachers, and activists. Thematic analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: The sample's perceptions of the disaster revealed fear, sadness, uncertainty, loss, and stress before, during, and after the fires. Most strikingly, the research highlighted the stark absence of coordinated public disaster communication tailored to this population. Communication relied on informal channels such as word of mouth, visible signs, and cell phone usage. Post-disaster narrations emphasized community resilience in recovery efforts and more public service involvement in the health and wellness of the respondents. Conclusion: These results communicate the dire lack of structured disaster communication for the respondents and their immediate community. Timely group-appropriate communication is a basic need for equitable preparedness for inevitable natural disasters for the respondents. Disaster communication interventions should leverage community-based organizations to enhance mass communication through community-identified media such as cell phones and community conversations. Such communication must use the population's native language or Spanish at a minimum.