Risk Communication and Public Health (Oxford Medical Publications) [Hardcover]

Peter Bennett (Editor), Kenneth Calman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0192630377 | ISBN-13: 978-0192630377

Controversies about risks to public health regularly hit the news, whether about food safety, environmental issues, medical interventions, or "lifestyle" risks such as drinking. To those trying to manage or regulate risks, public reactions sometimes seem bizarre. To the public, the behaviour of those supposedly "in charge" can seem no less odd. Trust is currently at a premium. This volume brings together a wide variety of perspectives on risk communication, from the health professions, academia, campaigning organisations, government and its advisory committees, and independent consultancies and think tanks. It should be of interest not only to those involved in risk assessment or communication but to anyone interested in the role of science and the media in the political process, and how one bit of "the system" is responding to demands for greater openness and participation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Decisions about risks are not technical, but value decisions.' This statement is clarified and fully explored in the four parts of this appealing volume. The cast is British, but the extensive range of backgrounds and experience ensures that both the state-of-the-art and future perspectives about risk communication and public health are comprehensively covered. This book presents insights and experiences that should be seen as potential tactics , ingredients, or tools to work with when confronted with another crisis." -- Wim Verbeke, Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Dissecting Room

"Anyone involved in risk communication should find this book useful. It is up to date and well referenced and indexed." -- John C. Licciardone, University of North Texas Health Science Centre

"This is a risky book. It is published at a time when public interest in public health issues is probably greater than at any time before. The book is risky because it is honest: honest about the state of knowledge about risk and risk communication across a wide range of public health issues, and honest about the state of relationships between science, the public and those public institutions responsible for regulating risk. Risk Communication and Public Health should be required reading for policy makers and professionals responsible for public health... campaigners, academics and students will also find it of value. An edited collection with crisp analysis of the issues." -- Steve Cropper, Keel from Amazon.co.uk

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Peter Bennett, Principal Operational Research Analyst, Dept. of Health Rm 583D, Skipton House, 80 London Road, LONDON, SE1 6LW. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail] Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, University of Durham, Old Shire Hall, Old Ewet, Durham, DH1. Tel: [phone].

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192630377
• ISBN-13: 978-0192630377
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,641,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)