Disasters don’t affect everyone equally. They never have, and they never will. Because long before a crisis begins👉 Vulnerability already exists

Who is Most at Risk

In any disaster, the same groups are disproportionately impacted:

• Older adults
• Children
• People with chronic illnesses
• Individuals with disabilities
• Low-income communities
• Those with limited access to care

Not because they are less capable, but because systems are not built with them in mind.

What Makes a Population “Vulnerable”

It’s not just about health. It’s about access:

• Access to transportation
• Access to information
• Access to medical care
• Access to resources

When those systems are strained-👉 Gaps widen quickly

What This Looks Like in Real Life

• The patient who can’t evacuate without assistance
• The child who doesn’t understand what’s happening
• The person who depends on daily medication to survive
• The family already living with limited resources

And in a crisis-👉 These challenges multiply

The Question We Should All Be Asking

Preparedness isn’t just personal. It’s collective.

👉 Who in your life would struggle if systems failed?

• A neighbor
• A family member
• A patient population you serve

Because resilience isn’t built alone.

What You Can Do Right Now

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• Identify individuals who may need extra support
• Include them in preparedness planning
• Ensure access to medications and essential needs
• Create simple, clear communication plans
• Check in, before, and during a crisis

👉 Small actions create meaningful protection

A Shift in Perspective

Preparedness isn’t just about:

✔ What you have
✔ What you store
✔ What you can do

It’s also about:👉 Who you consider

Final Thought

Disasters expose the cracks in our systems, but they also reveal something else👉 The power of community

And the strongest communities are the ones that prepare for everyone, not just themselves.