Risk Perception and Risk Communication

Risk Perception “People are disturbed, not by things, but by the view they take of them.” Epictetus Judgements regarding risk fueled more by fear than facts

Risk Perception Risk = Hazard + Outrage  Peter Sandman “There are 3 kinds of lies - lies, damned lies, and statistics.”  Mark Twain

Risk Perception Risks feared more:  new  human-made  imposed upon them  associated with death  from untrustworthy source  directly affect you  affect our children  high uncertainty Risks feared less:  natural  choice involved  may also provide benefit  under your control  from trusted source  we are less aware of  threatens others

Risk Communication involving Hazards (CDC) Questions to prepare for:  Why did this happen?  Why wasn’t this prevented?  What else can go wrong?  When were you notified about this?  What does this information mean?  How are ill going to get help?  What can we expect?  What bad things aren’t you telling us?

Risk Communication involving Hazards (CDC) Information sought by media:  casualties, conditions, treatment  property damage  response to relief activities  resulting effects (stress)

Risk Communication involving Hazards (CDC) Don’t try to over reassure the public Inappropriate to ask people to abandon their fears Give people action steps to do

Risk Communication involving Hazards (CDC) Timely/accurate release of information Be honest, report lack of facts now Keep messages simple/straightforward (avoid scientific explanations) Have experts ready to address risks Get info out to local officials (they are trusted more - let them give info out)

Risk Communication Examples  Colony of Aedes Agypti found in research building one floor down from Containment Insectary where they are used in research  BL2 waste inadvertently disposed of in general trash  Red biowaste bags found in dumpster at condominium  Missing, unaccounted for animals infected with TSE’s

Risk Communication Examples  Animal care staff potentially exposed to biohazards from unauthorized experiment  Envelope, mail, packages with suspicious powder, oily substance on or in it  Staff of child-bearing age exposed to reproductive pathogen  Loss of biohazardous material from research lab (unaccounted for)  Lab acquired infection in researcher; route of infection unknown