Health risk perception in Canada I: Rating hazards, sources of information and responsibility for health protection
Loading...
Date
1995
Authors
Krewski, Daniel
Slovic, Paul
Bartlett, Sheryl
Flynn, James
Mertz, C. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A national survey of 1500 Canadians was carried out to assess public perception of health risks. Questionnaire items focused on ratings of perceived risk, sources of information on health risks and responsibility for risk management, attitude and opinions about risk, and risk taking and risk-avoiding behaviors in which the respondent has engaged. Respondents cited the news media as their most common source of information on health risks, but expressed most confidence in risk information provided by the medical profession. Respondents assigned risk management responsibility to many groups and organizations, but perceived medical doctors and Health and Welfare Canada as doing the best job of fulfilling their responsibilities. The Canadian public reported a high degree of perceived risk for many hazards, and were particularly sensitive to lifestyle risks such as cigarette smoking, street drugs, alcohol, AIDS and suntanning that are also of concern to health professionals. Other findings included a high degree of concern about health risks associated with industrial pollution and chemical products (with the exception of medicines), a widespread belief that a risk-free environment was an achievable goal, and sizable differences in perception of risk by gender, age, education and region.
Description
54 pages
Keywords
Toxicology, Psychometrics, Hazards
Citation
Krewski, D., Slovic, P., Bartlett, S., Flynn, J., & Mertz, C.K. (1995). Health risk perception in Canada I: Rating hazards, sources of information and responsibility for health protection. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 1(2), 117-132.