Articles tagged with Risk Communication
Recent media releases from UK government agencies and NHS organizations lack objectivity and provide unbalanced information on prescription-only medicines. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin expresses concerns over the use of hyperbolic language and omission of key information about potential harms and benefits.
A literature review found that only 53% of primary research supported the association between land change and zoonotic disease risk. Webpage content often overstated the evidence, neglecting uncertainty. The authors recommend more accurate and nuanced science communication to improve understanding.
A large international study of 156,000 people from 21 countries found that women have lower CVD risk than men, especially at younger ages. However, diet was more strongly associated with CVD risk in women than men, while high cholesterol and depression were more common risk factors for men.
A new study found that people experiencing anxiety or depression during the pandemic were more likely to get vaccinated, but less likely to follow distancing guidelines. The researchers suggest that a gentler approach may be warranted, focusing on the benefits of vaccination for others, to encourage behavior change.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge's CSER highlight the need for improved surveillance and public education to mitigate the impact of volcanic eruptions. The risk of a magnitude seven explosion in the next 100 years is one-in-six, with potential consequences including abrupt climate change and collapse of civilizations.
Researchers discovered that presenting COVID-19 vaccine side effects in the context of other risks, such as motor vehicle death rates, increases people's intention to take the vaccine. Adding a simple qualitative risk level, like 'very low risk', also boosts intentions.
A recent study by Renmin University of China found that a good media reputation consistently reduces the risk of termination for administrative agencies. The research analyzed over 4.95 million articles published between 1949 and 2019 in the People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee.
A study by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment found that micro- and nanoplastics can be taken up by human cells, particularly those in the small intestine and liver. The absorption of these particles is influenced by their size and chemical properties.
Researchers at the University of Basel developed a method to determine how risk is perceived within a society. The study found that threat and fortune are the most prominent components of risk, with threat being more closely associated with older people and women. The results also indicate that there are universal correlations in risk ...
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that age and risk perception have a significant impact on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, surpassing political ideology. Older adults (50+) are more likely to consider themselves at risk for severe illness and are universally vaccinated, particularly above 75 years old.
An analysis found that government websites often understate PFAS health risks, failing to address the needs of highly exposed populations. The study recommends improved communication from agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide accurate and practical guidance for those affected.
A Canadian study of over 12,000 hospital admissions found that updated product label changes did not reduce rates of accidental acetaminophen overdose. The study suggests additional measures are needed to prevent these episodes beyond just labeling changes.
Researchers have developed a model to predict Vibrio vulnificus abundance in the canal by analyzing rainfall, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and organic matter. The study found that warmer waters due to climate change may lead to an increase of twice or three times current levels of bacteria by the end of the century.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that 73.7% of university students have been victimized online, with a higher risk for those who were offline victims during childhood or intimate partner violence., Researchers identified three groups based on cybercrime risk: low-risk, financial cybervictimization, and high-risk groups ...
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that AI-powered apps reduced business risks during the pandemic by 3.1%. The use of AI apps was also linked to lower profits (2%) and overall business risk (1.2%). Only 26% of small enterprises are currently using these applications.
A study of 22 large cities across 14 countries reveals that more than one-quarter did not involve public health agencies in their climate change plans. Despite this, 73% reported having a public health department on their climate-plan teams. The researchers recommend enhancing public health agency involvement to target activities to th...
A study conducted by Singapore Management University found that perceived effectiveness of government messages outweighs the effect of individuals' belief in a dangerous world. Effective communication with informative, personal, and objective message characteristics is key to driving disease prevention behaviors.
A new study from the University of Helsinki found that providing individuals with their personal genetic risk for cardiovascular disease motivates them to take better care of their health. The interactive web-tool KardioKompassi helped participants understand their risk and make lifestyle changes.
A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles reveals that parents in low-income communities are more likely to discuss COVID-19 preventative behaviors with their kids, reducing stress for both families. Despite higher risk of infection, these communities exhibit lower rates of worry and disease burden.
A study published in Risk Analysis found that individuals who endorse libertarianism and anti-egalitarianism attitudes are more likely to disregard COVID-19 risks. This suggests that simply identifying as liberal or conservative may not capture the full scope of political ideology's impact on attitudes toward science issues.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a reliable COVID-19 forecasting system using hospital admissions data and cellphone mobility data. The system has been used by 22 municipal areas in Texas to manage healthcare resources and communicate pandemic risks.
A Dartmouth study reveals that consumers using at-home COVID-19 self tests may misinterpret the implications of their test results, leading to either unnecessary or inadequate quarantine. The study suggests that individuals at high risk for infection should still quarantine after a negative test result.
A recent study found that men were twice as likely to be victims of online sex blackmailing during the pandemic. Young people, Black and Native American women, and LGBTQ individuals were also at high risk of this cyber-enabled crime. The study revealed race and sexuality-related differences in rates of sextortion.
A recent study published in the journal Risk Analysis found that increased voting by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic did not jeopardize election safety. The research analyzed potential risks identified in a mail voting attack tree and concluded that expanding mail voting increases voter access and reduces adversarial interference.
A new study of 25 years of recalls at publicly traded companies found that newly tenured CEOs are more likely to announce a product safety recall. The study also reveals that once CEOs have been in their role for about three years, they are more likely to allow recalls to go unannounced.
A new study from Edith Cowan University identifies four pathways regularly associated with Western Australian mining deaths, including design flaws and poor management. The research recommends that companies prioritize these pathways to reduce workplace fatalities and improve worker safety.
A new study revealed that global guidance for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI) is not effective and needs revision. The FALCON trial found no superiority of interventions like alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation and triclosan coated sutures over lower-cost alternatives.
Using qualitative terms to describe risks associated with treatments for appendicitis led to a wide range of interpretations among patients. In contrast, giving risk percentages or ranges improved communication and reduced variance in interpretation.
A recent review published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that flu vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in individuals with heart disease. Despite higher mortality rates from influenza, many Americans under 65 with heart disease have low vaccination rates.
Distinguished professor Michael Mann is being recognized with the Leo Szilard Lectureship Award for his contributions to public understanding of climate science controversies and mitigating climate change. He will give lectures at APS meetings and educational institutions over the next year.
A study by Intermountain Healthcare found that notifying pharmacies of discontinued prescriptions can prevent almost 200 safety events over two months. By using a CancelRX functionality in their electronic medical record system, the team was able to avoid these events and ensure patients only receive correct medications.
Researchers developed WebFRIS, a web-based platform to provide socio-economic vulnerability analysis and simplify flood risk information. The tool can help formulate targeted solutions and enhance social capacity and resilience in flood-prone regions.
A recent study found that 26-45% of people with atrial fibrillation fail to adhere to their prescribed direct-acting oral anticoagulants due to cost and bleeding concerns. Researchers interviewed 42 adults who had stopped or reduced dosing, citing these reasons as major barriers to adherence.
A US study published in Journal of Health Communication found that emphasizing individual health risks from COVID-19 leads to higher vaccine acceptance among participants. The researchers also discovered that loss framing was slightly more effective than positive gain framing, suggesting cultural and personal factors may play a role.
A recent UNSW study found that women who received their polygenic risk score (PRS) for breast cancer experienced minimal regret and reduced distress compared to those who declined. The researchers also discovered that more women reported regret about not knowing their PRS score, highlighting the importance of providing clear informatio...
Researchers identified seven 'pinch points' where moderate eruptions could have catastrophic global consequences, including disruptions to global supply chains and financial systems. These regions include Taiwan, North Africa, the North Atlantic, and the US state of Washington.
Researchers found that high-impact weather events can be extreme, especially in context of human activities. Detailed hypothermia risk forecasts were not available for the race site, contributing to tragedy. The study highlights the need for improved warning systems and collaborations among scientists, governments, social media, and ci...
A study of consumers with food allergies found that less than half understood allergy information on food labels, attributing varying levels of comprehensibility assessments. Precautionary statements have little value for consumers and may lead to inappropriate dietary restrictions or risk-taking behavior.
An international research project, funded by DFG, explores how governments, health institutions, and media communicate about COVID-19, analyzing its effects on the population. The study aims to identify effective risk and crisis communication strategies for better public understanding of pandemic risks.
A study of UK residents shows that personal values and political worldviews play a significant role in shaping perception of COVID-19 risk, with those who feel government should be less controlling believing the virus poses less risk. This is associated with adoption of fewer protective behaviors.
A US study suggests that young adults (under 40) perceive COVID-19 risks differently than older generations, with lower perceived risk and fewer preventive measures taken. Effective targeted communication efforts could encourage more risk reduction behaviors among younger generations.
The pandemic is affecting various groups in unique ways, with farmers facing supply chain disruptions, office workers experiencing 'Zoom fatigue,' and children seeing an increase in domestic accidents. Researchers are exploring these individualized effects to inform public health solutions.
A new study by psychologists at Zhengzhou Normal University found that effective risk communication mitigates emotional contagion and anxiety, while inconsistent findings suggest a reciprocal correlation between anxiety and risk communication. The study analyzed data from January to February 2020 and showed that prevention activities w...
Data analysis by statistician David Spiegelhalter shows COVID-19 deaths closely follow the normal age-related risk of death from all other causes. The risk is highest for older adults, with a 12-13% higher death rate for each year older. In contrast, school children experience only a 2-day extra risk above the normal annual risk.
The article provides recommendations from a National Academies of Sciences report on reopening elementary and secondary schools, emphasizing partnerships with public health officials and transparent communication. The report aims to minimize risks and maximize benefits for students, staff, and communities.
KU's Center for Community Health and Development leads a project to monitor and evaluate COVID-19 response activities in 47 African countries. The online COVID-19 Response M&E System captures data on infection-control measures, risk communication, and transmission patterns.
Researchers at Penn State created a brief animated video to educate people about the risks of antibiotics, finding it effective in convincing participants that antibiotic use can be risky. The study suggests that a video intervention could help increase public awareness and promote antibiotic stewardship.
A survey of Israeli adults found that public compliance with a self-quarantine order is significantly higher when individuals are assured of receiving compensation for lost wages. The study suggests that continuous earning is a crucial factor in determining public compliance with public health regulations.
Researchers discovered a vulnerability in LTE that enables attackers to impersonate mobile phone users, booking fee-based services and accessing sensitive information.
A statistical analysis of Roman emperors' deaths reveals a distinct pattern, with high risk in the first year and a bathtub-like curve indicating stabilization by the eighth year. The study suggests underlying processes governing the length of each rule until death, similar to reliability engineering.
A new study highlights the importance of personal protective equipment in reducing workplace injuries and deaths among seafarers. The research found that PPE availability is the most significant factor in decreasing injury probability, with proper training also playing a crucial role.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London found that the risk of stillbirth increases with each week of pregnancy after term. Women who continue their pregnancy to 41 weeks' gestation face a low but increased risk, equivalent to one additional stillbirth for every 1,449 pregnancies compared to delivering at 40 weeks.
Researchers found that using psychological techniques to communicate periodontal disease risk improved dental hygiene and reduced gum inflammation over a three month period. The study also associated the intervention with improved frequency of interdental cleaning.
Researchers explore how scientific understanding of Zika developed over time and how North American agencies addressed public communication challenges. The special issue provides insights into the dissemination of information via traditional and social media and its effects on public knowledge and risk perception.
The Society for Risk Analysis has recognized several researchers with the 2018 Best Paper award for their significant contributions to the field of risk analysis. The awards honored papers that made a substantial impact on theory or practice, including works on probabilistic transmission models and risk communication strategies.
A recent study found that Hispanic kidney disease patients with poor primary care experiences have a higher risk of hospitalization. The study analyzed data from 252 patients and found associations between low communication quality, health promotion, interpersonal treatment, and trust with increased hospitalization risk.
A brief dermatologist intervention was found to improve patients' sun protection behavior and increase their satisfaction with communication with their dermatologist. The study compared 72 patients who received the Addressing Behavior Change (ABC) intervention with 81 patients in a comparison group over several months.
A new study found that adults who slept seven hours per night had the lowest excess heart age, while those sleeping less than or more than seven hours were associated with increased risk. The research demonstrates a quantitative method for including sleep duration in cardiovascular risk assessment.
A new study found that extreme cold increases mortality and morbidity risks for people with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, while extreme heat is risky for those with renal diseases. The research aims to develop tailored public service risk communication strategies.
A new study found that typical teens are resilient to negative online experiences, with effects vanishing within a week. Researchers believe coping skills may be learned through online interactions with friends or social media communities.