Sweta Chakraborty, PhD

This article describes how advances in social and decision sciences have enhanced the understanding and development of risk communications. It takes into account how the public perceives and assesses risks are integral for industry communication plans. Specifically, the impact of trust on how the public will perceive risks and interpret relevant communications is evident and the effect is particularly poignant in crisis situations. It is therefore necessary to consider levels of trust in… Show more

This article describes how advances in social and decision sciences have enhanced the understanding and development of risk communications. It takes into account how the public perceives and assesses risks are integral for industry communication plans. Specifically, the impact of trust on how the public will perceive risks and interpret relevant communications is evident and the effect is particularly poignant in crisis situations. It is therefore necessary to consider levels of trust in sources of information, as well as understand the post-trust environment when designing communications. Dedicated efforts to re-build trust are crucial to address both expected and unexpected operational and potential future risks. Future challenges in crisis risk communication will have their own unique circumstances, but a common thread is better pre-crisis planning involving the understanding of public perceptions of risk to deal with communication challenges that will inevitably arise. Show less

In a hot, flat, hyper-connected world, public perception of risk may determine if agriculture will save the planet by 2050 or destroy it. Science and technology options may hold the key to solving the situation, but, if media experience with “pink slime” and raw milk are any indication, society may be in for a bumpy ride. This article examines global trends in food and agriculture, the interplay between food safety and public perceptions of risk, and the role of risk communication in addressing… Show more

In a hot, flat, hyper-connected world, public perception of risk may determine if agriculture will save the planet by 2050 or destroy it. Science and technology options may hold the key to solving the situation, but, if media experience with “pink slime” and raw milk are any indication, society may be in for a bumpy ride. This article examines global trends in food and agriculture, the interplay between food safety and public perceptions of risk, and the role of risk communication in addressing public perceptions. Show less

Sector governance across the European Union (EU) poses a unique challenge in that it requires careful consideration of each Member State's existing regulatory approaches. Inconsistent adoption of risk-based versus hazard-based approaches to regulation across EU countries has resulted in varying interpretations and applications of legislation, which have in turn led to European-wide business and trade complexities. A risk-based approach to regulation requires careful consideration of… Show more

Sector governance across the European Union (EU) poses a unique challenge in that it requires careful consideration of each Member State's existing regulatory approaches. Inconsistent adoption of risk-based versus hazard-based approaches to regulation across EU countries has resulted in varying interpretations and applications of legislation, which have in turn led to European-wide business and trade complexities. A risk-based approach to regulation requires careful consideration of cost–benefits that must be justified, while a hazard-based approach remains the precautionary tool of choice in risk-averse countries. This chapter asserts that a risk-based approach is the best regulatory approach forward and can be promoted successfully, as has been the case with food and pharmaceuticals, once the national regulatory landscape is better understood. Show less

Risk communication is central to the risk management strategy of a pharmaceutical company. Pharmaceutical companies primarily communicate risk through labelling tools such as the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), package insert, patient information leaflet (PIL) and the carton, which are currently regulated based on templates such as those of the EU. Recent research raises concern about how effective the SmPC is alone in communicating risk. There is some evidence that carton design can… Show more

Risk communication is central to the risk management strategy of a pharmaceutical company. Pharmaceutical companies primarily communicate risk through labelling tools such as the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), package insert, patient information leaflet (PIL) and the carton, which are currently regulated based on templates such as those of the EU. Recent research raises concern about how effective the SmPC is alone in communicating risk. There is some evidence that carton design can influence risk comprehension. Processes to check new trade names cannot be confused with existing names is a simple measure to mitigate one form of risk. Given the central role and the vast amount of resource that is consumed, it is surprising there has not been extensive original research to see whether product information such as the SmPC is a good tool for communicating risk. Recently, EU agencies have assessed the communication value of the PIL and revised the template and guidelines. However, no evaluation of user testing has been conducted at European level since the introduction of these new requirements. As regards ‘Dear Healthcare Professional Communications’, there is inconsistent evidence about their ability to change patient and physician behaviour. There is a dearth of evidence about what sort of communications materials are the most effective under which circumstances. Show less

Chapter in edited volume titled: The Challenge of Emergency Regulation: Beyond the European Volcanic Ash Crisis.

Saturday, 18 December 2010 was the first of a two day complete closure of all London area airports due to freezing temperatures and approximately five inches of snow. A week later on December 26th, New York City area airports closed in a similar manner from the sixth largest snowstorm in NYC history, blanketing the city approximately twenty inches of snow.1 Both storms grounded flights for days, and resulted in severe delays long after the snow stopped falling. Both London and NYC area airports… Show more

Saturday, 18 December 2010 was the first of a two day complete closure of all London area airports due to freezing temperatures and approximately five inches of snow. A week later on December 26th, New York City area airports closed in a similar manner from the sixth largest snowstorm in NYC history, blanketing the city approximately twenty inches of snow.1 Both storms grounded flights for days, and resulted in severe delays long after the snow stopped falling. Both London and NYC area airports produced risk communications to explain the necessity for the closures and delays. This short flash news report examines, in turn, the risk communications presented during the airport closures. Show less