Suchergebnisse

Information format can influence the extent to which target audiences understand and respond to risk‐related information. This study examined four elements of risk information presentation format. Using printed materials, we examined target audience perceptions about: (a) reading level; (b) use of diagrams vs. text; (c) commanding versus cajoling tone; and (d) use of qualitative vs. quantitative information presented in a risk ladder. We used the risk communication topic of human health concerns related to eating noncommercial Great Lakes fish affected by chemical contaminants. Results from the comparisons of specific communication formats indicated that multiple formats are required to meet the needs of a significant percent of anglers for three of the four format types examined. Advisory text should be reviewed to ensure the reading level is geared to abilities of the target audience. For many audiences, a combination of qualitative and quantitative information, and a combination of diagrams and text may be most effective. For most audiences, a cajoling rather than commanding tone better provides them with the information they need to make a decision about fish consumption. Segmenting audiences regarding information needs and communication formats may help clarify which approaches to take with each audience.

Community-based management (CBM) has progressed from the conceptual fringe to the dialogical heart of environmental management. Despite its rhetorical popularity, limited quantitative data exist on factors influencing local involvement. A quantitative survey of three Venezuelan fishing villages resulted in a predictive model of willingness to participate in CBM. Sense of community and fishery dependence were significant positive influences. High levels of concern about the current and future state of the fishery are correlated with an unwillingness to participate, indicating a defeatist attitude about perceived insurmountable problems. We explore sense of community, defeatist attitudes, and education in CBM project formulation and implementation. InWent/DÜI)

A fish consumption health advisory has existed for New York Lake Ontario sport‐caught fish since 1978. Our study objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of the advisory for reaching potential target audiences and to identify appropriate advisory content, style, and dissemination methods using a risk communication planning model as an evaluation framework. We used a combination of mail surveys and personal interviews with three target audiences (opinion leaders among recreational anglers and charter boat operators, migrant farm workers, and low‐income individuals) and two communicator groups (fishery experts and health care experts). The New York Lake Ontario advisory appeared to be successful in reaching and encouraging risk‐mitigating fish consumption behavior in recreational angler opinion leaders and low‐income individuals but not in migrant farm workers. The advisory may not be reaching two sensitive subpopulations, women of childbearing age and children. Communicators and target audiences differed in their assessments of important information to include in an advisory. The health advisory could be improved with additional information such as risk‐reducing cooking and cleaning methods and by diversifying the dissemination methods to reach the variety of audiences who potentially consume Lake Ontario fish.