ABOUT THE BOOK Research over the past 20 years has shown that recognizing and focusing on at-risk populations can help to create better mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities, in addition to lessening the economic and social impact of disasters. To this end, Social Vulnerability to Disasters uses a multi-disciplinary approach to examine historical, geographic, social and cultural factors and conditions that put people differentially at risk before, during and after disasters. Readers learn how vulnerable social groups are affected by and cope with hazardous conditions and events. The collection from top-notch contributors provides strategies for community-based mitigation engaging those populations most at risk. Key Features:  Provides practical instruction to aid disaster relief and emergency management professionals in building local, community- based, disaster resiliency.  Explains why disasters are not only caused by natural phenomenon and events, but also by social, political and economic environments that can greatly increase vulnerability.  Offers real-world, multi-disciplinary strategies for capacity building and disaster resiliency. The book serves as a practical, empirically-based guide for professionals and students in the growing number of courses on the social aspects of disasters in emergency management, public administration, and social science programs. The book is based on a widely-used course developed by the FEMA Higher Education Project. All proceeds from the book benefit the Mary Fran Myers Scholarship Fund at the Natural Hazards Center of the University of Colorado, Boulder. Authors: Lynn Blinn-Pike, John Brett, Alan Clive, Nicole Dash, Elizabeth Davis, Elaine Enarson, Maureen Fordham, Jennifer Goldsmith, Eve Gruntfest, Rebecca Hansen, Alison Herring, Pam Jenkins, Bill Lovekamp, Brenda McCoy, Jennifer Mincin, Betty Hearn Morrow, Kate Oviatt, Eve Passerini, Lori Peek, Brenda Phillips, Jean Scandlyn, Carrie Simon, Pamela Stephens, Deborah Thomas. 5 Ways to Order! Available in Summer 2009 Mail: CRC PRESS 6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW Suite 300 Boca Raton, FL Phone: Fax: Web: CRC Press Order: CAT # AU7856 $69.95 / £49.99 ISBN: / ISBN13: March 2008 Pages: 416 Trim: 6-1/2 x 9-1/4 Binding: Hard Cover  Payment $ ______________ enclosed  Please charge my credit card account:  VISA  MASTERCARD  AMEX Card # ________________________________________ Exp Date _____/_____ SIGNATURE ______________________________________________________ NAME (please print) ________________________________________________ POSITION ________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________ STATE ________ ZIP ______________ TELEPHONE ______________________________ DATE __________________ Social Vulnerability to Disasters Edited by: Brenda D. Phillips, Deborah Thomas, Alice Fothergill and Lynn Blinn-Pike ISBN 10 digit: digit: The first comprehensive text to focus on social issues of vulnerable populations in disasters. Contents: Part I - Social Construction of Disasters 1 Development of Vulnerability Analysis 2 World Views, Values and Structural Dimensions 3 Sustainable Development Part II - Structural Barriers to Disaster Resilience 4 Social Class 5 Race/Ethnicity 6 Gender 7 Age 8 Disability 9 Health Part III - Situational Barriers to Disaster Resilience 10 Language and Literacy 11 Household and Family 12Violence Part IV - Knowing and Assessing Community 13 Nature of Human Communities 14 Measuring Community Vulnerability Part V - Building Disaster-Resilient Communities 15 New Ideas for Practitioners 16 Promoting Empowerment Through Social Change