scholarly journals Predictors of genetic beliefs toward cancer risk perceptions among adults in the United States: Implications for prevention or early detection

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-504
Author(s):  
Lawrence P. McKinney ◽  
Gemechu B. Gerbi ◽  
Lee S. Caplan ◽  
Mechelle D. Claridy ◽  
Brian M. Rivers
2018 ◽  
Vol 238 (5) ◽  
pp. 395-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas R. Ziebarth

Abstract This paper empirically investigates biased beliefs about the risks of smoking. First, it confirms the established tendency of people to overestimate the lifetime risk of a smoker to contract lung cancer. In this paper’s survey, almost half of all respondents overestimate this risk. However, 80% underestimate lung cancer deadliness. In reality, less than one in five patients survive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis. Due to the broad underestimation of the lung cancer deadliness, the lifetime risk of a smoker to die of lung cancer is underestimated by almost half of all respondents. Smokers who do not plan to quit are significantly more likely to underestimate this overall mortality risk.


2013 ◽  
Vol 178 (9) ◽  
pp. 1434-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Schernhammer ◽  
D. Feskanich ◽  
G. Liang ◽  
J. Han

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-301
Author(s):  
PHILIP R. WYATT

To the Editor.— The report of the New England Regional Screening Program1 on neonatal hypothyroidism is a stunning illustration of the vulnerability of screening programs. It is unfortunate that this experience will probably be used as an argument to minimize the input of screening programs in the health care system in the United States. The report illustrates that, in addition to the 2% of the screened population that eluded the program, 14 infants with hypothyroidism escaped the full benefits of early detection and treatment.


2005 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Montse García ◽  
Esteve Fernández ◽  
Josep Maria Borràs ◽  
F. Javier Nieto ◽  
Anna Schiaffino ◽  
...  

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1562
Author(s):  
Saul Lozano ◽  
Jonathan Day ◽  
Lilyana Ortega ◽  
Maggie Silver ◽  
Roxanne Connelly

The United States experienced local transmission of West Nile Virus (WNV) for the first time in 1999, and Zika Virus (ZIKV) in 2016. These introductions captured the public’s attention in varying degrees. The research presented here analyzes the disproportional perception of ZIKV risk compared to WNV transmission risk, by the public and vector control personnel. The risk perception of vector control was measured through purposive sampled interviews (24 interviews in 13 states; May 2020–June 2021), while the public’s perception was estimated from news publications (January 2000–December 2020), and Google searches (January 2004–December 2020). Over time, we observed a decrease in the frequency of press reporting and Google searches of both viruses with decreasing annual peaks in the summer. The highest peak of ZIKV news, and searches, surpassed that of WNV. We observed clear differences in the contents of the headlines for both viruses. We propose that the main reason in risk perception differences between the viruses were psychological. Zika infections (mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted) can result in devastating symptoms in fetuses and newborns, observations that frequently appeared in ZIKV-related headlines. Our results highlight the likely influence the news media has on risk perception and the need for public health agencies to play active roles in the conversation, helping disseminate timely and accurate information. Understanding the factors that shape risk perceptions of vector-borne diseases will hopefully lead to better use of resources by providing better guidance.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document