Bio-Terrorism: Steps to Effective Public Health Risk Communication and Fear Management

Abstract

A potentially serious gap exists in the preparedness of the public health system to respond to terrorism: risk communication. Unless this system is better structured to provide American citizens with a clear understanding of the potential risks and hazards associated with a terrorist event - particularly a bio-terrorism event - citizens not only run the risk of taking inappropriate protective actions, but also of experiencing increased (and potentially debilitating) levels of fear. In a survey I conducted of public health officials in an eleven state region (which includes my own state, Colorado) I found that significant for improvement exist in their emergency preparedness planning. Of particular concern, is the states' limited risk communication planning. Nonetheless, there was a high level of confidence in the states' perceived level of preparedness to respond and communicate risks during a potential bio-terrorism event.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADB300969

Entities

People

  • Susan G. Jones-hard

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Factors
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Emergency Response
  • Employment
  • Geography
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Homeland Security
  • Hygiene
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Health
  • Terrorism
  • United States

Readers

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