scholarly journals Public perceptions of Lyme disease and climate change in southern Manitoba, Canada: Making a case for strategic decoupling of climate and health messages

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Cameron ◽  
Rhéa Rocque ◽  
Kailey Penner ◽  
Ian Mauro
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Climate And Health

Abstract Background: Despite scientific evidence that climate change has profound and far reaching implications for public health, translating this knowledge in a manner that supports citizen engagement, applied decision-making, and behavioural change can be challenging. This is especially true for complex vector-borne zoonotic diseases such as Lyme disease, a tick-borne disease which is increasing in range and impact across Canada and internationally in large part due to climate change. This research aims to better understand public risk perceptions of climate change and Lyme disease in order to increase engagement and motivate behavioural change.Methods: A focus group study involving 61 participants was conducted in three communities in the Canadian Prairie province of Manitoba in 2019. Focus groups were segmented by urban, rural, and urban-rural geographies, and between participants with high and low levels of self-reported concern regarding climate change. Results: Findings indicate a broad range of knowledge and risk perceptions on both climate change and Lyme disease, which seem to reflect the controversy and complexity of both issues in the larger public discourse. Participants in high climate concern groups were found to have greater climate change knowledge, higher perception of risk, and less scepticism than those in low concern groups. Participants outside of the urban centre were found to have more familiarity with ticks, Lyme disease, and preventative behaviours, identifying potential differential sources of resilience and vulnerability. Risk perceptions of climate change and Lyme disease were found to vary independently rather than correlate, meaning that high climate change risk perception did not necessarily indicate high Lyme disease risk perception and vice versa. Conclusions: This research contributes to the growing literature framing climate change as a public health issue, and suggests that in certain cases climate and health messages might be strategically decoupled when addressing climate skeptical audiences. A model showing the orthogonal relationship between Lyme disease and climate change perceptions is proposed, and implications for engagement on climate change health impacts are discussed.

scholarly journals Public perceptions of Lyme disease and climate change in southern Manitoba, Canada: making a case for strategic decoupling of climate and health messages

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Cameron ◽  
Rhéa Rocque ◽  
Kailey Penner ◽  
Ian Mauro
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Climate And Health

Abstract Background Despite scientific evidence that climate change has profound and far reaching implications for public health, translating this knowledge in a manner that supports citizen engagement, applied decision-making, and behavioural change can be challenging. This is especially true for complex vector-borne zoonotic diseases such as Lyme disease, a tick-borne disease which is increasing in range and impact across Canada and internationally in large part due to climate change. This exploratory research aims to better understand public risk perceptions of climate change and Lyme disease in order to increase engagement and motivate behavioural change. Methods A focus group study involving 61 participants was conducted in three communities in the Canadian Prairie province of Manitoba in 2019. Focus groups were segmented by urban, rural, and urban-rural geographies, and between participants with high and low levels of self-reported concern regarding climate change. Results Findings indicate a broad range of knowledge and risk perceptions on both climate change and Lyme disease, which seem to reflect the controversy and complexity of both issues in the larger public discourse. Participants in high climate concern groups were found to have greater climate change knowledge, higher perception of risk, and less skepticism than those in low concern groups. Participants outside of the urban centre were found to have more familiarity with ticks, Lyme disease, and preventative behaviours, identifying differential sources of resilience and vulnerability. Risk perceptions of climate change and Lyme disease were found to vary independently rather than correlate, meaning that high climate change risk perception did not necessarily indicate high Lyme disease risk perception and vice versa. Conclusions This research contributes to the growing literature framing climate change as a public health issue, and suggests that in certain cases climate and health messages might be framed in a way that strategically decouples the issue when addressing climate skeptical audiences. A model showing the potential relationship between Lyme disease and climate change perceptions is proposed, and implications for engagement on climate change health impacts are discussed.

Extreme events, risk perception, communication, and adaptation in the context of climate change: the case of an Andean community in Peru

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredy S. Monge-Rodríguez ◽  
Andy Alvarado- Yepez
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Perception Of Risk ◽  
Severe Storms ◽  
Local Risk ◽  
Adaptive Behaviours

<p><strong>Abstract:</strong></p><p><em>Introduction and theoretical background: </em>The increase in extreme events as a result of climate change has serious consequences for the world (Bevacqua, Yu, & Zhang, 2018; Clark et al., 1998), with higher impacts on Andean communities, which are more vulnerable to its effects due to the scarce resources they have to cope with its effects. The study on local risk perception, as a strategy that allows people to be more aware of the hazard and therefore be more willing to deal with the eventuality of the hazard (Lopez and Marvan, 2018). Our study analyses experience with extreme events: severe storms, avalanches, droughts and floods. Furthermore, we analyze how experiences with extreme weather can be related to risk perception, communication, and adaptive behaviours.</p><p><em>Methods:</em> After a thorough pilot. We selected two interviewers, from the same community. To comply with COVID-19 health protocols, the questionnaire was implemented online. All questions were presented in a closed format. The total number of participants (N=200) belonged to the Phinaya community located at the bottom of the Quelccaya glacier (5650 mamsl). All gave their consent to participate voluntarily in the study.</p><p><em>Results:</em> 86% indicated having experienced drought or water shortage in the last 5 years between 1 and more than 3 times, 14% did not. Then 59% indicated that they had experienced storms between 1 and more than 3 times in the last 5 years, 41% indicated that they had not experienced any. Regarding floods, 21.5% indicated that they had experienced them, while 78.5% had not. 34.9 % indicated that they had experienced avalanches. 97.5% said they were very concerned about climate change. 82% received information on storms, 90% received information on droughts, 82% received information on floods, 51% received information on avalanches. There is a relationship between people who have had experiences with severe storms and those who have experienced landslides and avalanches. Regarding the perception of risk, we found differences between men and women. No clear relationship was identified between risk perception and extreme events. It is observed that communications about droughts influenced negatively on risk perception, the other extreme events did not show significant relations. Finally, with respect to adaptation behaviours, we found a positive relationship between experiences with storms, and perceptions of risk of climate change, greater perception of risk, greater willingness to develop adaptive behaviours.</p><p><em>Conclusions: </em>Most people have been exposed to more than one type of extreme events such as droughts and storms. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationships between public perception of climate change in Andean communities and corroborates the important role of communication and adaptive behaviors in the context of risk perceptions.</p>

Critical success factors of public health sponsorship in Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
Billy Sung ◽  
Ian Phau ◽  
Isaac Cheah ◽  
Kevin Teah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Public Health Promotion

Abstract Public health sponsorship is a unique phenomenon in Australia. The current research examines the critical success factors of Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation’s (Healthway) sponsorship program, Australia’s largest public health sponsorship program. Using stakeholder interviews and expert observational studies, two studies present five key success factors: (i) effective segmentation and targeting of health messages; (ii) collaboration between Healthway and partnering organization to leverage sponsored events; (iii) displacement of unhealth sponsorship; (iv) use of leveraging strategies to raise awareness of health messages; and (v) environmental changes that facilitate behavioural change. The current research provides insights into how and why sponsorship is an effective public health promotion tool.

scholarly journals An Approach to Developing Local Climate Change Environmental Public Health Indicators in a Rural District

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Houghton ◽  
Jessica Austin ◽  
Abby Beerman ◽  
Clayton Horton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Environmental Public Health ◽  
Vulnerability Indicators ◽  
Public Health Indicators ◽  
Climate And Health

Climate change represents a significant and growing threat to population health. Rural areas face unique challenges, such as high rates of vulnerable populations; economic uncertainty due to their reliance on industries that are vulnerable to climate change; less resilient infrastructure; and lower levels of access to community and emergency services than urban areas. This article fills a gap in public health practice by developing climate and health environmental public health indicators for a local public health department in a rural area. We adapted the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network’s framework for climate and health indicators to a seven-county health department in Western Kentucky. Using a three-step review process, we identified primary climate-related environmental public health hazards for the region (extreme heat, drought, and flooding) and a suite of related exposure, health outcome, population vulnerability, and environmental vulnerability indicators. Indicators that performed more poorly at the county level than at the state and national level were defined as “high vulnerability.” Six to eight high vulnerability indicators were identified for each county. The local health department plans to use the results to enhance three key areas of existing services: epidemiology, public health preparedness, and community health assessment.

scholarly journals Climate and Health Concerns of Montana’s Public and Environmental Health Professionals: a Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Griffin Byron ◽  
Karen L. Akerlof
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Injunctive Norms ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Abstract Background: Rural health professionals stand at the forefront of community response to climate change, but few studies have assessed their perceptions of the threat. Further, no previous study has compared the opinions of environmental to public health professionals or extensively analyzed the factors related to these experts’ climate beliefs, risk perceptions, and injunctive norms. Methods: In conjunction with the Montana Climate Assessment’s 2021 Special Report on Climate Change and Human Health, the 479 members of the Montana Public Health Association and Montana Environmental Health Association were surveyed during September-October 2019, with 39% completing the survey. We summarized descriptive data about their perceptions of local climate-related changes, and their levels of belief that global warming is happening, is mostly human-caused, is a risk to human health, and that their offices and others should take action. We also evaluated which sociodemographic and risk perception factors related to these climate beliefs, risk perceptions, and injunctive norms. Results: Health professionals in Montana, a politically conservative state, demonstrated high levels of awareness that global warming is happening, human-caused, and a threat to human health, well above reported rates of public concern. Eighty-eight percent said that global warming is occurring and 69% that it is mostly anthropogenic. Sixty-nine percent said that their own health was already affected by climate, and 86% said they were already seeing at least one climate change-related event in their communities. Seventy-two percent said that their departments should be preparing to deal with climate change’s health effects, but just 30% said that it is currently happening. We found no statistically significant differences between Montana environmental health and public health professionals in regression models predicting climate beliefs, risk perception, and injunctive norms. As in studies of the public, political ideology and the observation of local climate-related changes were the strongest factors.Conclusions: Montana environmental and public health officials said that departmental action was needed on climate change, indicating the readiness of rural health professionals to take action. Further studies of health professionals in rural regions are warranted.

scholarly journals #CoveringClimateNow: A social journalism project profiling climate and health

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Williams ◽  
M Sweet ◽  
M McInerney ◽  
S Finlay
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Global Media ◽  
Practical Advice ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Climate And Health ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Concerns about poor quality media reporting of climate change has led to many initiatives seeking to influence coverage. In 2019/2020, a global media collaboration was established with the aim of generating a sustained media focus on key climate-related events. This paper reports an analysis of an Australian health media organisation's contribution to the collaboration, and the opportunities this provided for public health advocates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and communities, and the wider community. It presents key reflections from Croakey Health Media's contribution to the global #CoveringClimateNow collaboration, with the aim of providing practical advice to enable further such collaborations and activities in other countries. This project was run on a very small budget, and this presentation is likely to be particularly relevant for low-budget organisations and contexts. Key messages Poor quality media coverage of climate change has stimulated innovation. Collaboration locally and globally can convey solutions to climate change.

Climate change – a still neglected topic in medicine and public health programs?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-80
Author(s):  
Rébecca Grojsman ◽  
Stefanie Schütte ◽  
Anneliese Depoux ◽  
Antoine Flahault
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Climate Change Education ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
Sustainable Future ◽  
Climate And Health

AbstractHealth professionals are well placed to play a key role in educating people about climate and health. This article maps existing climate change education in medical as well as public health programs, identifies gaps and proposes possible improvements. It is essential that climate and health education enter the broader curriculum as this will also be a foundational part of education and help build the next generation of global expertise needed to create a healthier and more sustainable future.

scholarly journals Climate and health concerns of Montana’s public and environmental health professionals: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Byron ◽  
Karen L. Akerlof
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Health Association

Abstract Background Rural health professionals stand at the forefront of community response to climate change, but few studies have assessed their perceptions of the threat. Further, no previous study has compared the opinions of environmental to public health professionals or extensively analyzed the factors related to these experts’ climate beliefs, risk perceptions, and issue prioritization. Methods In conjunction with the Montana Climate Assessment’s 2021 Special Report on Climate Change and Human Health, the 479 members of the Montana Public Health Association and Montana Environmental Health Association were surveyed during September–October 2019, with 39% completing the survey. We summarized descriptive data about their perceptions of local climate-related changes and their beliefs that global warming is happening, is mostly human-caused, is a risk to human health, and that their offices and others should take action. We also evaluated which sociodemographic and risk perception factors related to these climate beliefs, risk perceptions, and workplace issue prioritization. Results Health professionals in Montana, a politically conservative state, demonstrated high levels of awareness that global warming is happening, human-caused, and a threat to human health, well above reported rates of public concern. Eighty-eight percent said that global warming is occurring and 69% that it is mostly anthropogenic. Sixty-nine percent said that their own health was already affected by climate, and 86% said they were already seeing at least one climate change-related event in their communities. Seventy-two percent said that their departments should be preparing to deal with climate change’s health effects, but just 30% said that it is currently happening. We found no statistically significant differences between Montana environmental health and public health professionals in regression models predicting climate beliefs, risk perception, and prioritization. As in studies of the public, political ideology and the observation of local climate-related changes were the strongest factors. Conclusions Montana environmental and public health officials said that departmental action was needed on climate change, indicating the readiness of rural health professionals to take action. Further studies of health professionals in rural regions are warranted.

scholarly journals Risk Perception and COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Cori ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi ◽  
Ennio Cadum ◽  
Carmen Anthonj
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Health Governance ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Improve Health

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is shaking the foundations of public health governance all over the world. Researchers are challenged by informing and supporting authorities on acquired knowledge and practical implications. This commentary applies established theories of risk perception research to COVID-19 and reflects on the role of risk perceptions in these unprecedented times. Moreover, it calls for utilizing the knowledge on risk perception to improve health risk communication, build trust and contribute to a collaborating governance.

Affective Imagery, Risk Perceptions, and Climate Change Communication

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Leiserowitz ◽  
Nicholas Smith
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Public Risk ◽  
Media Change ◽  
The Media ◽  
Interpretive Communities

Affective imagery, or connotative meanings, play an important role in shaping public risk perceptions, policy support, and broader responses to climate change. These simple “top-of-mind” associations and their related affect help reveal how diverse audiences understand and interpret global warming. And as a relatively simple set of measures, they are easily incorporated into representative surveys, making it possible to identify, measure, and monitor how connotative meanings are distributed throughout a population and how they change over time. Affective image analysis can help identify distinct interpretive communities of like-minded individuals who share their own set of common meanings and interpretations. The images also provide a highly sensitive measure of changes in public discourse. As scientists, political elites, advocates, and the media change the frames, images, icons, and emotions they use to communicate climate change, they can influence the interpretations of the larger public. Likewise, as members of the public directly or vicariously experience specific events or learn more about climate risks, they construct their own connotative meanings, which can in turn influence larger currents of public discourse. This article traces the development of affective imagery analysis, reviews the studies that have implemented it, examines how affective images influence climate change risk perceptions and policy support, and charts several future directions of research.

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