Articles tagged with Risk Communication
A group of coastal Alaska Native tribes have successfully taken the lead on shellfish toxin testing, filling a critical gap in public health protection. However, securing stable funding and improving outreach has been limited, threatening the effectiveness of the program.
A new measure called “outdoor days” describes the number of days per year that outdoor temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold for people to go about normal outdoor activities. This measure reveals significant global disparities, with the North gaining more outdoor days and the South losing them due to rising temperatures.
A new AI tool can predict which breast cancer patients are at risk of chronic arm swelling after surgery and radiotherapy. The tool, developed by international researchers, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze patient data and provides easily understandable explanations for doctors and patients.
Current AI dermatology mobile apps can improve access to care, but their efficacy, safety, and transparency are concerns. Regulating these apps is essential to minimize risks and maximize benefits.
A new study projects that as many as 500,000 people could be affected and 1 in 35 properties damaged by flooding in 32 US coastal cities by 2050. The research highlights racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
A study led by UCL researchers found that over half of English smokers believe vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking. The survey data showed a sharp increase in perceived harm from 2021, coinciding with rising youth vaping rates. Better communication about health risks is needed to help smokers make informed choices.
A new review focuses on personalised care for diseases like influenza, enabling accurate determination of when the infectious part has passed. The approach involves dialogue about treatment and prevention options, as well as individualised risk assessments to promote transparency and equity in medical care.
Researchers have developed a genetic risk tool that combines genetic factors with demographic information to improve MS risk prediction in young people presenting with optic neuritis. The study shows that this approach can help identify patients at high risk of MS, potentially enabling earlier treatment and improving long-term health.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology finds that people in positions of power are three times less likely to use sensitive language in work-related emails than their junior colleagues. This suggests that leaders are cautious with their words due to greater scrutiny and potential consequences.
A new web-based baby sleep planner tool, developed by researchers at the University of Bristol, has been shown to improve the uptake of life-saving advice for families with infants at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The tool provides a baby's SUDI risk assessment at birth and a downloadable sleep plan for families.
A recent study found that only half of hookah packages included the required nicotine warnings, two years after federal regulation was implemented. The study led by Boston University School of Public Health researcher Dr. Jennifer Ross highlights the importance of warning labels in communicating health risks to consumers.
Researchers from Concordia University explore risks of cyberattacks faced by offshore wind farms with VSC-HVDC connections. These attacks could lead to false information, electrical disturbances, and potential transmission of amplified oscillations through the main power grid.
Researchers found that placing 'eye' signage in surgical rooms reduced offensive comments among staff. The study's lead author attributes the result to a perception of being watched, even without real eyes.
A new study reveals that accelerating sea level rise will exacerbate existing social inequality in coastal areas, with minority populations facing the most severe burdens. Rising sea levels disrupt transportation networks and roads, leading to increased isolation and reduced access to essential services.
Researchers have developed a new web-based software platform called Wildfire Safe Egress (WISE) that allows emergency planners to design custom-made evacuation plans. The tool uses data on demographics and road networks to simulate wildfire scenarios and calculate safe evacuation probabilities. By analyzing the Camp Fire disaster, rese...
A new framework demonstrates that proportionately more multi-homing consumers lead to significant efficiency gains when integrating two business platforms. However, this trend also creates higher barriers to entry for new platform firms and may require policy guidance to mitigate potential harms of platform mergers.
A new study has found that most patients with osteoporosis want to receive information on their fracture risk, but only half of them actually get it. Patients prefer visual representations, such as graphs with a colored traffic-light system, to communicate fracture risk and are more likely to take medication if presented in this way.
A new study analyzing cyberstalking research identified sociodemographic and background factors as the largest contributors to perpetration and victimization. The findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies considering overlap between offline violence and cyberviolence. Experts emphasize the importance of allocating ...
Researchers found that Black men are more likely to have prostate cancer than white men, regardless of PSA level. This highlights the importance of earlier and more frequent screening for Black men to reduce health disparities.
A new project aims to help robots assess risks and make autonomous decisions. The research focuses on quantifying ambiguity in robot perception to improve safety and efficiency.
A study by Dr Eva Krockow found that existing terms for antimicrobial resistance, such as 'antimicrobial resistance' and 'AMR', are not taken seriously enough, failing to evoke risk perceptions. The researchers suggest renaming the term to a more memorable one that can effectively convey the severity of the issue.
A new study published in the University of East Anglia shows that automated insulin delivery technology can help pregnant women with type 1 diabetes better manage their blood sugars. The technology, known as Hybrid Closed-Loop or Artificial Pancreas, helps to substantially reduce maternal blood sugars throughout pregnancy.
Asian female immigrants working in the US beauty service industry face numerous workplace health challenges. Researchers suggest that outreach and education at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels can address these issues, including cultural competency, better wages, training, and paid time off.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that mandated disaster plans have mediocre quality and modest improvements over time. Despite regular updates, the plans fail to address key issues such as public engagement and land use policies, leading to repeated mistakes in areas prone to natural disasters.
A new study by the National Neuroscience Institute suggests that drinking coffee and tea containing caffeine can significantly reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease in Asians who carry specific genetic variants. The study found that those who consumed higher amounts of caffeine had lower risks, even at moderate doses.
A new study examines the pros and cons of advanced maternal age, finding that while older mothers face increased risks, they also have significant advantages due to their socioeconomic status. The research aims to untangle the truth about this complex issue by investigating how biomedical knowledge is produced and disseminated.
A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes journal reveals that men who experience job strain combined with high efforts and low reward have doubled the risk of heart disease. The research highlights the pressing need to proactively address stressful working conditions to create healthier work environments.
Research found that e-cigarette manufacturers use psychographic targeting to appeal to new users based on lifestyles and attitudes, particularly among low-risk young adults. The study suggests that stricter marketing regulations are needed to reduce exposure to these advertisements and minimize the risk of initiation.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights the importance of shared decision-making in cardiovascular care. Key findings include improved patient understanding, acceptance, and satisfaction when healthcare teams involve patients in decision-making processes.
A new study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that people are more likely to recommend an RSV vaccine if they understand the rigorous process of the FDA's vaccine approval process. The study showed that 57% of those exposed to a flowchart were very or somewhat likely to recommend the vaccine, compared to 40% in a control group.
A new diagnostic method assesses electrical and mechanical activity in the heart during atrial fibrillation, providing personalized assessment of atrial remodeling. This can help predict disease progression and guide treatment.
Researchers at the University of Alabama created a detailed assessment of vulnerability to natural hazards across the continental US. The study found significant differences in vulnerability between neighboring blocks and identified top 10 states with high vulnerability rates, including Minnesota and Ohio.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that substance use impairs cognitive flexibility by inhibiting specific neurons. Chronic cocaine or alcohol use alters the local inhibitory brain circuit, leading to decreased cognitive flexibility and increased risk of academic deficits and lower quality of life.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has released a new clinical guideline for managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to improve risk-evaluation and treatment course.
A recent study found that GPT-3 can generate accurate information, but also produces highly persuasive disinformation. Participants struggled to distinguish between tweets created by the AI model and those written by real users.
A Cornell University study found that e-cigarette warning labels with unclear language reduce risk perceptions among adults trying to quit smoking. The researchers tested 17 different warning statements on focus groups and found that specific risks were generally accepted, but uncertain language was confusing.
A new study suggests that more women should be aware of the potential for revision surgery after cosmetic breast augmentation. The researchers found that those who consider themselves healthier and have higher levels of education are less likely to undergo or recommend the procedure.
A post-hoc analysis of the ASPREE trial found that low-dose aspirin was associated with a 20% increased incidence of anemia and decline in ferritin levels in healthy older adults. The study recommends periodic monitoring of hemoglobin for patients taking aspirin.
High-energy electrons pose significant radiation damage to satellites; a new study sets benchmark levels for extreme space weather events. Satellite operators must prepare against these risks as the global space economy relies on over 5,465 operational satellites.
Researchers identified five subtypes of heart failure using machine learning, including early onset and atrial fibrillation related. These subtypes have different mortality risks, with some patients at higher risk of dying within a year after diagnosis.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma predict that global flash droughts will increase globally, with the largest increases projected across North America and Europe. The study finds that flash drought risk over cropland is expected to increase by 1.5 times in North America and 1.7 times in Europe by 2100.
A new commentary from infectious disease experts emphasizes the importance of continued masking in healthcare settings due to low evidence of efficacy and high transmission risks. Despite recent conflicting views, the authors argue that mask-wearing remains a crucial strategy for infection prevention.
Researchers developed a 'Skeletal Age' metric to assess impact of fractures on mortality, revealing a loss of one to seven years of life depending on gender, age, and bone site. The online calculator measures bone fragility to help doctors and patients understand fracture risks.
A majority of people over 50 are open to stopping one or more prescription medicines, but many don't discuss it with their health provider first. The poll shows that comprehensive medication reviews and cost considerations play a crucial role in deprescribing conversations.
Residents in affected communities emphasized the need for more tailored information, including aftershock forecasts and tsunami risk maps. The study highlights the importance of effective risk communication and community engagement to promote preparedness and safety.
The article discusses concerns about the integrity of research and the well-being of participants due to financial conflicts of interest. The authors argue that disclosing these conflicts to potential participants may not achieve their intended moral goals, highlighting the need for improved policies.
A new study finds that clear and accurate information about the cause of death, provided in multiple formats, can influence family members' decisions to seek follow-up screening for inherited heart conditions. The study suggests that communication from death investigators and health care professionals is crucial in addressing families'...
A new study found that Hispanic, Black, and low-socioeconomic status smokers are less likely to use e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking tool and more likely to believe e-cigarettes pose greater harm than cigarettes. This perception may prevent e-cigarette uptake among these populations, exacerbating racial and health disparities in smoking.
Researchers developed a SMART approach to engage with communities in developing real-time early warning systems for floods, combining meteorological data with social factors. This approach aims to improve protection for vulnerable people and properties, particularly in mountainous regions.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement provides guidance on interpreting incidental genetic variants associated with cardiovascular disease risk. The statement aims to determine whether a variant truly carries a health risk and suggests next steps for individuals and healthcare professionals.
New research highlights the need for extra support from professionals like teachers, youth workers, and speech therapists for children with disabilities when using the internet. The study found that these professionals often fail to provide adequate guidance on managing online risks, exacerbating existing digital inequalities.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
A new study explores the complexity of parents' decision-making processes regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for their children. The research highlights the importance of individualized discussions with healthcare providers to help interpret evidence and provide tailored recommendations.
Researchers found that interactive simulation formats were more effective than conventional text-based formats in convincing vaccine-hesitant adults to get vaccinated. The study suggests that interactive simulations can boost people's decision-making competence, leading to positive changes in vaccination intentions and benefit-to-harm ...
An international task force led by UNIGE and HUG has developed a preventive protocol to address the growing number of people affected by Alzheimer's disease. The guidelines focus on four pillars: risk assessment, risk communication, risk reduction, and cognitive enhancement.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified a promising drug candidate, TYK2 inhibitor, for preventing type 1 diabetes. The study found that inhibiting TYK2 expression reduces the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, but may also reduce beta cell production in earlier stages.
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country analyzed beach safety flags and their management in Northern Spain, finding a lack of uniformity in colors, shapes, and sizes. A standardized system could improve safety, especially with inadequate signage and double markings that provide contradictory information.
A study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that a PACS tool improved completion rates of clinically necessary follow-up imaging. The tool identified socioeconomically disadvantaged patients at increased risk of failure, and referrer agreements played a crucial role in improving recommendations.
A team of WVU researchers is studying how people bounce back after disastrous flooding, using lessons learned from the 2016 West Virginia flood. The project aims to create a more effective framework for flood response and community recovery in West Virginia, with a focus on identifying gaps in organizational capacity and improving floo...