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The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of social and economic factors, status and health comunication behaviors on people's knowledge about the flu pandemic and prevention efforts. In the past it has been reflected in studies that people in different social groups have a far different access to information form each other about health and specific threats of diseases, which in effect may alter their behavior and knowledge on the topic. This study looks to see if these inequalities lead to a compromised  adversity in these vulnerable populations when it comes to responses to the flu outbreak. 

The author supports his arguments by discussing other events such as the US capitol building burning, the Hague Street boiler explosion, and Iroquois Theater Fire. The Capital Building section of the paper focused on the investigation that followed and what it revealed in terms of the people's concern of the meaning behind the burning of the building, rather than the building actually falling down. This section follows the investigation as well as the ultimate rebuilding of the Capitol. The Hague Street Explosion was similar in that there was an investigation. This investigation was focused on figuring out a party to blame. It was ultimate decided everyone involved with the boiler at all was responsible. The Iroquois theater fire section discussed mechanisms that caused and could have accounted for what occurred. Building codes were questioned as well and proved to be a unique disaster investigation. This was due to the factor of public responsibility at play in this disaster.