Perceived Risks from Disease and Management Policies: An Expansion and Testing of a Zoonotic Disease Risk Perception Model

Abstract

Human dimensions information about wildlife disease risk management is an important component in developing successful policies because policy implementation depends on stakeholder involvement and public support. Understanding how stakeholders perceive risks is fundamental to successful disease management, yet a clear systematic theory-based framework is lacking. We expanded and tested a portion of the zoonotic disease risk information seeking and processing (ZDRISP) framework using a tailored design method survey with a sample (n= 4,000) of Michigan deer hunters. Our study revealed respondents perceived risks from wildlife disease management policies, which are influenced by disease risk perceptions and subjective and descriptive norms. These results advance a zoonotic disease risk perception theoretical framework that can be applied to understand stakeholder perceptions of different wildlife diseases having varying levels of prevalence, susceptibility, or severity. Integrating insights about human perceptions of the disease and its management policies will enhance likelihood of success of wildlife disease management.