Epi, Risk, & Communication

Question 1

What 5 properties should a good epidemiological variable have?

Answer 1

1. impacts health
2. measurable
3. differentiates populations
4. generates testable hypothesis
5. help prevent or control disease

Question 2

Name Hill’s Criteria. (8)

Answer 2

1. consistency of findings
2. strength of association
3. dose-response
4. temporal sequence
5. biological plausibility
6. coherence with established facts
7. specificity of association
8. experimentally testable

Question 3

What are some “high outrage” factors? (10)

Answer 3

1. involuntary
2. artificial/industrial
3. unfamiliar
4. affects children
5. dreaded/catastrophic
6. unknowable/uncertainty
7. delayed effects
8. no direct benefits
9. unfair
10. unavoidable

Question 4

What are 8 rules for effective risk communication?

Answer 4

1. accept public as a partner
2. listen to audience
3. be open, frank, honest
4. collaborate with other credible sources
5. meet needs of media
6. speak clearly with compassion
7. plan carefully, evaluate performance
8. objectively present all sides. be open about personal biases. ask audience to examine their own biases.