			Home About us Contact

Risk Communication (risk + communication)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	64%
Life Sciences	14%
Engineering	14%

Selected Abstracts

The importance of news media in pharmaceutical risk communication: proceedings of a workshop,,§

PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 5 2005
Felicia E. Mebane PhD
Abstract In response to mass media's role in the national and global system of pharmaceutical risk communication, the Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) convened a ,think tank' session on the ,Importance of Media in Pharmaceutical Risk Communication'. Prominent journalists and experts from the pharmaceutical industry, academia, medical practice and government were invited to consider the benefits and challenges of improving the way we communicate the benefits and risks of therapeutics via mass media, especially news media. Workshop discussions revealed a paucity of systematic research directed towards understanding how and why news media report on therapeutic risk, the impact of this coverage and how coverage can be improved. Consequently, participants produced a research agenda capturing the key aspects of the flow of information around this topic, including the meaning of risk, how news audiences process and use therapeutic risk information in the news, how and why news organizations report on therapeutic risk, and the role and impact of the pharmaceutical industry, government officials and academic researchers as sources of therapeutic risk information. The workshop ended with a discussion on action items addressing what news professionals, representatives of regulatory agencies and the medical products industry, and academic researchers can and should do to enable news media to effectively report therapeutic risk information. In sum, this proceedings report provides an outline for developing mass media risk communication research, influencing the practices of journalists and expert sources and ultimately, improving the quality of the public's life. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Necessity to establish new risk assessment and risk communication for human fetal exposure to multiple endocrine disruptors in Japan

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 2 2002
Emiko Todaka
ABSTRACT, Our recent study clearly shows that fetuses are exposed to multiple chemicals including endocrine disruptors in Japan. Although the embryo and fetus stages are the most sensitive period to chemicals in humans' life cycle, the health effects of the chemicals such as endocrine disruptors to them are largely unknown. The conventional risk assessment method cannot assess the risk to fetuses precisely. Now we need a new risk assessment, in which the target is fetuses and not the adults, in addition to the conventional risk assessment At the same time, we also need a new strategy to practically eliminate the risk for the future generations. To make the strategy effective, we suggest a new approach to reduce the risk and avoid the possible adverse health effects, using primary, secondary and tertiary preventions as they are used in public health. We also suggest a new concept of "pre-primary prevention" to reduce the risk for fetuses. Furthermore, to make this method even more practical, we suggest a new risk communication method. In this paper, we present a framework of risk avoidance of multiple chemical exposure to fetuses. [source]

Evaluation of the participant-support method for information acquisition in the "Multiplex Risk Communicator"

ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 9 2009
Tomohiro Watanabe
Abstract In this paper, we propose a smooth risk communication support method for the Multiplex Risk Communicator. There has been a diversification of the social risks to the information-based society, leading to complex social issues, and risk communication is necessary in order to solve the complicated social problems that arise concerning stakeholders with various levels of knowledge and differing standards regarding risks. We introduce a portal system that assists participants to achieve an optimal combination of countermeasures. The characteristics of the proposed method are: first, to classify the stage when participants acquire information; second, to enable smooth transitions during the information acquisition stage; and third, to support information acquisition by offering information portals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(9): 24,35, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10092 [source]

Strategies to improve chemical-related risk communication in Canada

INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010
M C Croteau
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF FOOD RISK ISSUES AND FOOD RISK MESSAGES ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND: THE VIEWS OF FOOD SAFETY EXPERTS

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2005
MARTINE DE BOER
ABSTRACT Food safety experts have a key role in constructing food risk messages and thus their perceptions will influence how food risk issues are communicated to the public. This research examined the perceptions of food safety experts regarding public understanding of food risk issues and food risk messages on the island of Ireland. It also looked into expert views of the barriers to effective food risk communication and how to improve food risk messages. One hundred and forty-three experts, working in areas related to food safety, completed an online questionnaire. Questionnaire and statement design was guided by the results of four in-depth interviews with food safety experts. The findings indicate that most experts surveyed have little confidence in the public's understanding of food risk issues, their assessment of food risks, their ability to deal with scientific information and their food safety practices. Experts are of the view that the public under-assesses the risk associated with some microbiological hazards and over-assesses the risk associated with other hazards such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The opinion of experts with regard to GMOs is not supported by previous consumer research. Experts noted that the level of education and age were important determinants for the level of understanding of food risk issues and messages. Experts were of the view that early intervention via school curricula was the best method to improve public understanding of food risk messages in the long term. Furthermore, experts are of the view that the media have the ability to improve awareness and knowledge about food risk issues but believe that the media tend to communicate information that is misleading. The majority of experts also believe that they should communicate uncertainty but are not confident that the public is able to cope with this uncertainty. Many of the experts also indicated a desire for training on how to interact with the media. The results may be used by those experts who are involved in the construction of food risk messages to improve the design and communication of food risk messages. [source]

Using Family History to Assess Women's Cancer Risk in a Parish Nurse Setting

NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 2 2006
Carol Cherry
This health promotion project fulfillled required field study in a graduate public health nursing program. Family history, an important risk factor for many chronic diseases including cancer, is gaining importance as a public health tool. The author used cancer risk assessment expertise to assess women's cancer risk based on family history in two parish settings. Women completed cancer family history using the U.S. Surgeon General's Family Health Portrait. They received pedigree, tailored risk communication and educational materials for cancer prevention/detection. Of 23 women, the majority reported intention to: (i) change behavior to reduce risk; (ii) change screening practice; and (iii) share family history with healthcare providers. One woman at high risk sought formal genetic counseling. Risk information was based on family history only, although multiple factors affect risk. Women's intention to change behavior may not lead to actual change. Population was homogeneous and well educated so results may not be generalizable to other populations. Even though most parish nurses would not have expertise in cancer risk assessment, they can advocate use of the Family Health Portrait. Women respond positively to personalized risk feedback presented in the context of their faith communities. The project facilitated genomic understanding within a public health setting. [source]

The importance of news media in pharmaceutical risk communication: proceedings of a workshop,,§

Improving communication of drug risks to prevent patient injury: proceedings of a workshop

PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 3 2003
William H. Campbell
Abstract Purpose The Centers for Education & Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) is conducting a series of workshops on managing the risks of therapeutics, with the ultimate goal to develop an agenda for research and education about risk and its management. This paper presents the results of the first workshop in the series, a 2-day meeting focused on communication of drug risks to healthcare professionals and patients. Methods The 50 workshop participants represented the medical-products industry, academia, consumer groups, regulatory bodies and the media. Together, they sought to identify and understand barriers to successful risk communication, to identify tools or methods that could improve risk communication, and to develop research and education agendas that would lead to better risk communication in the future. Results Limitations of current methods of risk communication were identified, and research and education agendas were proposed to clarify and resolve these issues. Conclusion Common themes for potential solutions include enhanced education of healthcare providers, increased motivation of patients and families, use of creative communication technologies, and better organization of and access to medical records and information. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Disease risk analysis: a tool for primate conservation planning and decision making

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
D.A. Travis
Abstract Concern about emerging and re-emerging diseases plays an increasing role in conservation and management of both captive and free-ranging nonhuman primates (NHPs). Managers and policy makers must formulate conservation plans in an arena plagued by uncertainty, complexity, emotion, and politics. The risk analysis paradigm provides a framework that brings together scientists and policy experts to make better decisions for both people and animals. Risk analysis is a multidisciplinary, science-based process that provides an organized and logical approach for incorporating scientific information into policy development in the real world. By blending four specific goal-oriented stages,hazard identification, risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication,one can logically assess the probability that an adverse event, such as the introduction of an emerging disease into a naïve population, will occur. The following is a review of this process as it pertains to NHP conservation and risks associated with infectious diseases. Am. J. Primatol. 68:855,867, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

From hypothetical scenario to tragic reality: A salutary lesson in risk communication and the Victorian 2009 bushfires

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 1 2010
Robin Burns
Abstract Objective: To investigate the ways that the risk of a bushfire emergency and communication strategies are perceived by different community segments. Methods: A brief questionnaire preceded focus group discussion of a bushfire scenario with four communications from different sources. Groups were recruited to represent different community segments within a bushfire-prone peri-urban Shire in Victoria. Results: Four groups (28 participants) were recruited. Bushfire experience was highest in the over 40-year-olds, who would use a variety of information sources, preferred to receive information from trusted local sources, such as emergency services and the council, and were more likely to be a member of a local organisation than the under 40s. Younger people used television, local papers, and friends, family and neighbours as information sources. Young parents felt disempowered through lack of local knowledge, and trusted government departments less than older residents. All wanted clear, current, specific local information about ground conditions and actions to be taken during a fire outbreak. Conclusions/implications: Knowledge of and preparedness for bushfire is unequally spread throughout a bushfire community. There is a need in public health risk and emergency situations to focus on community development, information and consultation. [source]

Women's experiences with genomic testing for breast cancer recurrence risk

CANCER, Issue 8 2010
Janice P. Tzeng MPH
Abstract BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined how patients understand and use genomic test results when deciding about treatment. This study examined how women receive and incorporate results of Oncotype DX, a genomic test that offers recurrence risk estimates, into decisions about adjuvant treatment for early stage breast cancer. METHODS: Participants in the cross-sectional study were 77 women with early stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer with 0 to 3 positive lymph nodes who received Oncotype DX between 2004 and 2009. Mailed surveys, supplemented by medical chart review, assessed how women received and understood recurrence risk information based on the test. RESULTS: The most common test results were low (50%, 34 of 68) or intermediate (37%, 25 of 68) breast cancer recurrence risk. Most women accurately recalled their recurrence risk based on the test (71%) and felt they understood much of what they were told about it (67%). Approximately 25% of women recalled experiencing test-related distress. Women's perceived recurrence risk was associated with their actual genomic-based recurrence risks, having had a previous cancer diagnosis, and worry about recurrence. Women with high recurrence risk typically had chemotherapy (78%, 7 of 9), whereas only 2 with a low recurrence risk did (7%, 2 of 30). CONCLUSIONS: This is among the first studies to describe patients' experiences with genomic testing for recurrence risk. Although many women understood discussions about their genomic test results, a third reported not fully understanding these discussions, suggesting a need to aid and improve risk communication and treatment decision making. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source]

Documented tuberculin skin testing among infliximab users following a multi-modal risk communication interventions,

PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 1 2006
Deborah Shatin PhD
Abstract Purpose Following its licensure, tuberculosis (TB) was reported as a potential adverse effect of infliximab. Subsequently, the product circular was changed to recommend tuberculin skin testing before patients received infliximab, which was reinforced by several risk communication efforts. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns and predictors of documented tuberculin skin testing in patients before and after manufacturer, federal, and academic risk communications. Methods Patients administered infliximab were identified from 11 health plans located throughout the United States, and claims data were examined to determine whether the patients had received a tuberculin skin test. Patients were divided into three cohorts depending on the timing of their first infliximab treatment in relation to the risk communication efforts. Results The overall tuberculin skin testing rate doubled from 15.4% in the first cohort to 30.9% in the last cohort, while the rate of pre-infliximab treatment testing increased from 0 to 27.7% (Chi-squared test for trend, p,<,0.0001 for both). Tuberculin skin testing rates were significantly higher in women, those with a diagnosis of rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, and those with a rheumatologist as prescriber. After multivariable analysis, only rheumatologist remained significantly associated with tuberculin skin testing. Conclusions Although the tuberculin skin testing rate was relatively low overall, tuberculin skin testing doubled over 30 months of ongoing risk communication efforts and under ascertainment likely occurred. We also found variation in the tuberculin skin testing rate associated with physician specialty. This study demonstrates a significant change in patient care following risk communication efforts. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]