Risk Communication: A Handbook for Communicating Environmental, Safety, and Health Risks

Book by Lundgren, Regina E., McMakin, Andrea H.

Since we wrote the second edition of this book in 1998, a host of seemingly novel -- or at least alarmingly accelerating -- risks emerged around the world. Risk communication often has dealt with ongoing, somewhat predictable topics including environmental pollutants, industrial safety, and public health issues. Even disasters have a strong tradition of crisis planning.

But the fatal consequences and rapid spread of newer health, safety, and environmental risks threatened us in more personal and serious ways. The September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States were followed by a series of anthrax exposures, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, mad cow disease outbreaks... and even the U.S. government's unprecedented classification of obesity as a disease.

At the same time, the theories, regulations, and tools used by risk communicators were becoming increasingly sophisticated. These advances in risk communication, combined with the newer risks, compelled us to write this third edition.

We've included a new chapter on preparing for and responding to bioterrorism and other emergencies. At the request of readers, we added new sections on message development and alternative dispute resolution. We also updated and expanded the sections on laws and regulations, theoretical models, technology tools, and visual portrayal of risks. With 100 more pages of guidelines, examples, and checklists, the third edition should provide its readers, including communication practitioners, industry and public sector representatives, healthcare workers, students, teachers, and consultants, with a valuable and comprehensive guide.