Risk perception research informing recommendations for COVID-19 preventative health measures and public messaging.
Australas Psychiatry
; 30(5): 601-603, 2022 10.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1978699
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To provide a commentary on evidence-based recommendations for COVID-19 pandemic risk communication for more effective public health measures.METHOD:
We apply the principles of risk communication to address key issues in the COVID-19 pandemic.RESULTS:
Risk perception and communication research usefully informs preventative health education and public messaging during disease outbreaks such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those with severe mental illness.CONCLUSIONS:
Key recommendations for pandemic public health risk communication are clear, timely and balanced information from a reputable source; accurate and non-sensationalised depiction of infection, morbidity and mortality rates; awareness of fear as a powerful motivator for adoption of protective measures against the causative virus; promotion of self-efficacy and sense of control in terms of mitigating the health threats associated with a pandemic; correction of mis- and disinformation regarding the pandemic and associated protective measures; and messaging may need to be modified for people with a mental illness to avoid exacerbations of depressive and anxiety symptoms.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Australas Psychiatry
Journal subject:
Psychiatry
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
10398562221117060
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