People who have experienced a disaster such as an earthquake, flood, or terrorist attack have a heightened perception of the risks posed by these and, in some cases, unrelated risks, according to a study involving 1,045 survivors of these incidents.
Executive Summary
Three studies on risk perceptions following a disaster event are reviewed. Discussed at length is a study of participants in seven European countries focused on involuntary memorable events.The study, which included participants from seven European countries, points to the importance of risk perception analysis in helping governments and others understand how people interpret and respond to crises, according to its authors.
The new findings come at a time when emergency management officials are seeking to communicate with the public about the need for greater awareness of risks ranging from hurricane flooding and increased forest fires to terrorist attacks and climate change.
