Communicating risk

Credibly communicating risk information in the public arena... 

In communicating risk information, trust and credibility are imperative. If you do not know an answer, say so, then get back to those people when you do have an answer. Discuss data uncertainties, strengths, and weaknesses, including ones identified by other credible sources. Identify worst-case estimates as such, and cite ranges of risk estimates when appropriate. 

V. T. Covello, P. M. Sandman, and P. Slovic, Risk Communication, Risk Statistics, and Risk Comparisons A Manual for Plant Managers, Chemical Manufacturers Association, Washington, DC, 1988. 

Be honest, frank, and open. In communicating risk information, trust and credibility are your most precious assets. 

Coordinate and collaborate with other credible sources. Allies can be effective in helping you communicate risk information. 

Points to Consider Regardless of how well you communicate risk information some people will not be satisfied. Never let your efforts to inform people about risks prevent you from acknowledging and saying tJiat any illness, injury, or deatJi is a tragedy. And finally, if people are sufficiently motivated, tJiey are quite capable of understan ng comple.v risk information, even if tliey may not agree witJi you. 

M. Russel, Communicating Risk a Concerned Public, USEPA Journal, Washington, D.C., 1989. 

Jan, Paul R., and Robert J. Gardner. "Reduction of Community Risk by Indoor Sheltering Quantitative Evaluation and Application." E.I. du Pont de Nemours Co., Inc., Engineering Department. Newark, DE. 

The increasing use of fiber optics for electronic communications poses critical communications risks. The fire resistant requirements of fiber optical cables are currently similar to the requirements of fire resistant ratings applied to electrical cables within the specifications of the NEC. 

This produces four important consequences for determining, evaluating and communicating risks ... 

The state provides to industry a harmonised framework for determining, evaluating and communicating risks in the European market (REACH). This also includes a form of standardisation for procedures, responsibilities and time frames in the chain, and options for state sanctions. This increases the market potential and innovation incentives for demonstrably application-safe chemical products. At the same time the basis is created for efficiency gains by employing universal IT solutions in the European market. However, the required framework also means that implementation is left to the industry and the market in many areas in order to leave enough scope for diversified solutions that are specific to the different supply chains. Simply the announcement of the REACH system has improved vertical communication in the supply chains and supported the consolidation of substance and application knowledge. 

The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) deals with questions concerning emerging or newly identified risks, and broad, complex, or mulfidisciplinary issues requiring a comprehensive assessment of risks to consumer safety or public health, and related issues not covered by other community risk assessment bodies (EU 2006f). 

Verbeke, W., Vanhonacker, F., Frewer, L. J., Sioen, I., De Flenauw, S., and Van Camp, J. (2008). Communicating risks and benefits from fish consumption Impact on Belgian consumers perception and intention to eat fish. Risk Manage. 28, 951-967. 

SRA provides an open forum for all those who are interested in risk analysis. Risk analysis is broadly defined to include risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management, and policy relating to risk. ... 

Q Interpreting and Communicating Risk and Uncertainty for Decision Making... 

There are many reasons why communicating risk and uncertainty to stakeholders and participants is critical to an informed assessment but 3 are, perhaps, most fundamental. First, participants (especially stakeholders with expertise in topics germane to probabilistic risk assessment or a particular assessment), if given opportunities to interact with practitioners, can contribute information and perspectives that could help focus and... 

Risk assessors and decision makers both need to be prepared to communicate risk results in an understandable form to other practitioners (regulatory and registrant), stakeholders, and the public. This is particularly critical in the case of uncertainty in the assessment. Most scientists hired to perform risk assessment are thoroughly trained in their subject matter but less familiar with the demands of public presentation or the essentials of educating at multiple levels. Regulators must provide scientists and decision makers with the support and opportunity to develop skills necessary to effectively communicate with stakeholders and the public. 

Finally, New Zealand s experience with DTCA is in some respects similar to that of the United States, but the self-regulatory environment in New Zealand that to this point has not required fair balance in advertisements as is required by the FDA in the United States has resulted in ads that compare favorably with the United States in terms of communicating benefits of drugs, but rather unfavorably when communicating risks and information on who should not be taking the medicines. Whether DTCA will continue or be banned in New Zealand is currently unclear. 

Edwards IR, Hugman B. The challenge of effectively communicating risk-benefit information. Drug Saf 1997 17(4) 216-27. 

Avorn 3 Drug warnings that can cause fits—communicating risks in a data-poor environment. N Engl 3 Med 2008 359 991. 

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