Factors Associated with Hurricane Evacuation: A Statistical Meta-Analysis of Studies, 1999-2018
Ibraheem M. Karaye, Nicholas Taylor, Maria Perez‐Patron, Courtney M. Thompson, Jennifer A. Horney
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Hurricane evacuation is one of the strategies employed by emergency management and other agencies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with hurricanes. However, factors associated with residents' evacuation decision-making have been inconsistent. In this study, we conducted a statistical meta-analysis to identify factors associated with hurricane evacuation as well as moderators of the evacuation decision. METHODS: statistics. Meta-regression methods were used to identify moderators. Publication bias was assessed using both visual (funnel plots) and statistical methods. RESULTS: Mobile home residence, perception of risk, female sex, and Hispanic ethnicity were statistically associated with hurricane evacuation, while geographic region modified the relationship between Hispanic race and evacuation. CONCLUSIONS: Agencies responsible for preparedness may utilize these findings to identify specific population sub-groups for hurricane evacuation communication and other interventions. Future studies should consider statistical interactions and explore opportunities for research translation to emergency officials.