Comparison of Household Perceptions and Practices of Food and Water Emergency Preparedness Between Latter-Day Saints and Non-Latter-Day Saints in the USA

J Relig Health. 2024 Oct;63(5):3274-3290. doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01535-3. Epub 2022 Mar 19.

Abstract

This study evaluated whether Latter-day Saints have more favorable perceptions and practices of food and water emergency preparedness than other households. Individuals across 46 states in the USA completed an online survey in 2014 (n = 572). Results indicated that Latter-day Saints, compared to Non-Latter-day Saints, were more likely to have a disaster supplies kit, to have long-term food storage, to have preserved food by canning/bottling, and to perceive neighborhood/community connectedness. Latter-day Saints had significantly lower odds of having less than one month of food storage available compared to Non-Latter-day Saints. Our findings suggest Latter-day Saints may be better prepared to handle a disaster than Non-Latter-day Saints.

Keywords: Emergency preparedness; Food storage; Religion; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Water.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Disaster Planning / methods
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Water Supply / statistics & numerical data