Risk Communication In the Face of Scientific Uncertainty: When Every Second Counts

Each disaster reveals new, critical scientific questions that merit a robust and efficient science response. As scientists try to tackle these new questions, and wade through challenges like asynchronous studies, differing quality reports, or inconclusive studies – how should public health authorities communicate this uncertain information to the public?

Many environmental disasters, like the Deep Horizon Gulf Oil Spill or the West Virginia Chemical Spill, involve industrial products previously unstudied by the emergency response community. Other disasters involve large populations with new risks officials may have not considered which this session will discuss.

In all cases, effective risk-communication could have the potential to save lives. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is leading a Federal effort to establish a framework to facilitate rapid and longitudinal scientific research when the health of the nation is threatened by various emergencies and disasters. This framework also includes a key risk-communication component intended to empower communities and health authorities to make informed decisions in the midst of scientific uncertainly. This presentation will discuss this framework, and highlight the relationship between effective communication and science repsonse.