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Implications of Public Understanding of Avian Influenza for Fostering Effective Risk Communication

College of Allied Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Michael Brand, PhD

College of Public Health, and a member of the Terrorism and Disaster Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

James L. Regens, PhD

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Daniel T. Boatright, PhD

University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Avian influenza has three of the four properties necessary to cause a pandemic. However, are we as individuals and communities prepared for a pandemic flu in the United States? To help answer this question, 12 focus groups (N = 60) were conducted in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to determine the level of awareness of avian and pandemic flu for the county health department to develop effective communication messages. The overall findings indicate that the general Tulsa public lacks information about avian influenza or pandemics, does not believe a pandemic will occur, and believes if one does occur the government will take care of it. Finally, the groups agreed that education would be the key to preventing widespread panic if a pandemic occurred. Five themes emerged: confusion about terminology, seriousness of avian influenza, disaster fatigue, appropriate precautions, and credibility of health information. Each should be considered in developing effective risk communication messages.

Key Words: risk communication • avian influenza • pandemic • focus groups

Health Promotion Practice, Vol. 9, No. 4 suppl, 54S-59S (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1524839908319089


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