Risk Information Research Articles

Effectiveness of receiving cardiovascular disease genetic risk information on health behaviors, psychological responses, and associated risk factor modification in individuals: a systematic review protocol.

This review aims to assess the effectiveness of receiving cardiovascular disease (CVD) genetic risk information on individual health behaviors, psychological responses, and risk factor modification. Advancements in genomics have identified strong genetic predispositions for CVD, leading to the development of CVD genetic risk information. Integrating genetic risk information into clinical practice shows promise in predicting CVD risk and facilitating multifactorial management. This review will focus on randomized controlled trials assessing individual responses to CVD genetic risk information. Participants will be adults aged 18 or older, either with or without CVD. The review will compare the effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information with receiving traditional risk information or no risk information, assessing outcomes such as health behaviors, psychological responses, and risk factor modification. Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and Emcare will be searched for relevant studies. Current or unpublished trials will be searched for in ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Articles will be screened and assessed for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers. Methodological quality will be assessed using the standardized instrument from JBI. Data will be extracted and synthesized according to the objectives of the review. If data are sufficient, a meta-analysis will be conducted; otherwise, the findings will be presented in narrative format, including tables and figures. The certainty of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. PROSPERO CRD42023390876.

Optimisation of decision-making on risk management strategy for the hydromelioration systems in biosphere reserves

The field of nature conservation in Ukraine is currently experiencing a profound crisis. In light of the mounting risks to Ukraine’s ecosystems, it is of paramount importance that conservation planning incorporates risk management strategies. In the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, the management of water bodies in the Exclusion Zone assumed paramount importance, given that the rivers had become the primary conduit for the transportation of radioactive substances. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the risks and vulnerabilities of climate change on Ukraine’s most developed economic sectors, population, and natural ecosystems. This will facilitate comprehension of the prospective consequences of climate change, ascertain the extent of potential losses, and inform decision-making aimed at reducing or preventing such losses in a timely manner. One of the primary challenges facing specialists at the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, in addition to other organisations and enterprises of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management and scientific institutions, is the assessment of the feasibility of hydromelioration systems. It is of the utmost importance that a scientifically sound methodological approach be employed in order to ensure the reliability and validity of the results obtained through the assessment of risks and vulnerabilities to climate change. In this context, the utilisation of adaptive methodologies is of paramount importance for the development of risk management strategies. One such methodology is the Methodology for Risk Analysis and Information Management for Strategic Ecosystems (MARISCO). This article considers the potential deployment of the MARISCO adaptive method as a universal methodology for the analysis of environmental issues, with a view to informing decision-making on risk management strategies in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve.

Економіко-правова сутність митної політики: макро- та мікро- аспект

In the context of martial law and the implementation of international customs law norms and procedures in the domestic economic space, the requirements for customs and business operations efficiency of foreign economic operators are becoming more stringent. The issues of the customs policy of an enterprise, as such, which ensures the systematization of organizational, economic and managerial processes and operations to ensure the effective implementation of foreign economic activity, are becoming increasingly important. Based on a study of scientific publications covering customs policy, the author proves that there is no systematic approach to its identification at the micro level, i.e., at the level of enterprises. The author emphasizes the need for clear regulation of foreign economic activity operations at enterprises. It is proved that the absence of a systematic approach to determining the customs policy of enterprises does not fully ensure the achievement of efficiency of foreign economic activity. The author proposes to consider the customs policy of an enterprise as a set of methodological approaches, standards and mechanisms that ensure effective management of business processes related to customs clearance of goods, compliance with customs legislation and optimization of customs payments. The economic and legal principles of interaction between customs policy at the macro and micro levels are revealed, where the State establishes general rules and regulations, and enterprises adapt their activities in accordance with these requirements. It is proposed to include economic (financial management, customs logistics, customs payments, organization of customs procedures) and legal (risk management, legal regulation, information and legal support, partnership with customs brokers, administration) parameters in the elements of the enterprise’s customs policy, each of which will affect the efficiency of foreign economic activity management. It is argued that the introduction of a comprehensive customs policy of an enterprise will help to increase its competitiveness in international markets and ensure the effective functioning of foreign economic activity. Prospects for further scientific research are determined in the plane of applied projection of the proposed provisions for the formation of customs policy to ensure the development of foreign economic activity of domestic enterprises. Keywords: customs policy, elements of customs policy, foreign economic activity, customs payments, financial management, administration, legal regulation.

Impact of reliable news information on consumers' perceptions and information seeking intentions from a food safety risk

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate whether information from reliable news sources such as medical experts and government officials, along with governmental and individual risk responses, influences consumers’ perceptions of news and intention to seek more information. Additionally, it aimed to explore the relationships between these perceptions and consumers’ intentions to seek information in a food safety risk event.Design/methodology/approachA survey design methodology was employed. A quasi-experimental approach divided 470 Taiwanese participants into three groups, each exposed to varying online news content about food safety news, designed according to the Internalization-Distribution-Explanation-Action (IDEA) model. This involved different combinations of reliable sources and risk response advice to examine the impact on news comprehension and behaviour intentions.FindingsThe results indicated that consumers perceived the news as highly credible when they read it with reliable news sources or risk response advice. Governmental and individual risk response advice significantly impacted consumers’ understanding of news. In addition, perceptions of news credibility and understanding of news can increase individuals’ information-seeking intentions to protect themselves from food safety risks.Originality/valueThis study introduced novel insights into the application of the source credibility theory (SCT) model within Taiwanese food safety incidents, identifying key factors that motivate consumer information-seeking behaviour. It marks an initial attempt to incorporate the IDEA model-based risk communication content into research design, aligning with existing literature while highlighting the critical role of reliable sources in enhancing news credibility and consumer response.

The impact of comment letters on audit fees: Evidence from spillover effect

AbstractThis study examines whether comment letters have spillover effects on audit fees. By examining listed companies in China, we find that the frequency of comment letters received by peer firms is positively associated with focal firms' audit fees. The spillover effect is stronger when companies have the same audit firm as their peers and the comment letter is longer, asks more questions, is more negative, or contains more risk information. Furthermore, the effect is more pronounced (weaker) for companies with higher growth (audited by Big Four audit firms). Our findings suggest that comment letters have regulatory effectiveness, which influences companies' and auditors' behavior on a large scale.

How trust in the government's flood response influences perception of flood hazard risk: Experimental evidences in China

AbstractMany studies have found that trust is a vital factor that influences risk perception. However, previous studies in this field have used surveys that provide limited information about causality. Therefore, experimental studies to explore the causality between trust and risk perceptions are needed. We conducted three studies to examine the relationship and mechanism of trust in the government's flood response and flood hazard risk perception. In Study 1, we found that people's risk perception and trust in the government's flood response were significantly negatively correlated. In Studies 2 and 3, using correlational and experimental methods, we found that the higher the public's trust in the government's flood response, the more they used heuristics to process risk information, and their risk perception was lower than that of the group with low trust in the government's flood response. Our research provides evidence of causality between trust and risk perceptions, suggesting that trust in the government's flood response can influence risk perception via heuristics in China, which provides a better understanding of the importance of trust in risk perception. These conclusions have policy implications for government responses to flood disasters, emphasizing the need for public participation and timely, transparent communication of accurate information and preventive strategies.

Combined Effects of Social Exclusion and Social Rank Feedback on Risky Decision-Making Across Adolescence.

Adolescents' need to belong and concerns about social status are thought to increase risk-taking, however, not much is known about how feedback about social rank and the effects of social exclusion moderate risky decision-making. To this end, the present study examined how social rank feedback moderates the effects of social exclusion on risky decisions during adolescence. The experimental study included a total of 122 participants (11-19 years; 44% female). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either individual or social rank feedback in the Columbia Card Task after social inclusion and exclusion via the Cyberball paradigm. Contrary to expectations, social exclusion led to more cautious decision-making. Mid-adolescents were most influenced by the combination of social exclusion and social rank feedback, while late adolescents became more cautious with individual feedback. These findings suggest that peer influences also have adaptive effects, increasing sensitivity to risk information, with developmental differences in the role of social rank.

What predicts hurricane evacuation decisions? The importance of efficacy beliefs, risk perceptions, and other factors

Risk theories and empirical research indicate that a variety of factors can influence people’s protective decisions for natural hazards. Using data from an online survey that presented coastal U.S. residents with a hypothetical hurricane scenario, this study investigates the relative importance of cognitive risk perceptions, negative affect, efficacy beliefs, and other factors in explaining people’s anticipated evacuation decisions. The analysis finds that multiple factors, including individual and household characteristics, previous experiences, cognitive and affective risk perceptions, and efficacy beliefs, can help predict hurricane evacuation intentions. However, the largest amount of variance in survey participants’ evacuation intentions is explained by their evacuation-related response efficacy (coping appraisals) and their perceived likelihood of getting hurt if they stay home during the storm. Additional analysis explores how risk perceptions and efficacy beliefs interact to influence people’s responses to risk information. Although further investigation in additional situations is needed, these results suggest that persuading people at high risk that evacuating is likely to reduce harm can serve as an important risk communication lever for motivating hurricane evacuation.

Communication and Counseling Preferences of Women Who Chose Abortion During Adolescence: A Qualitative Study

Study ObjectiveAs part of a larger study about pregnancy options counseling with adolescents, we interviewed women in the United States who chose abortion during adolescence about preferences and experiences regarding communication from healthcare professionals during abortion care. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsWe conducted individual semi-structured interviews with women ages 18-35 years old who were pregnant before age 20 years old and chose abortion. We recruited participants through social media, a research registry, and flyers in healthcare facilities. We recorded and transcribed interviews. Two investigators coded interview transcripts using thematic analysis. ResultsWe conducted interviews with 17 US women (median age 32 years old, range 20-35 years old) from 11/2020-4/2021. The median age at time of abortion was 18 years old (range 14-19 years). The sample was 58% (n = 10) Caucasian and 65% (n = 11) heterosexual. Themes included: 1) Participants perceived options counseling before abortion as important and necessary but did not always feel they personally needed it. 2) Participants reported that clinicians including nurses, physicians, and other staff sometimes had poor bedside manner, which was not aligned with their perceived need for gentleness due to their adolescence. 3) Participants valued nonjudgmental communication including normalization of abortion care. 4) Participants desired privacy and confidentiality throughout their clinic appointment, but clinic logistics led to concerns about limited privacy. 5) Participants appreciated medically accurate information about abortion in plain language balancing safety and risk information for reducing fear before the procedure. ConclusionResponses suggested specific best practices that healthcare providers can adopt to improve care for youth considering abortion.

Perceived autonomy support in individuals with Parkinson’s disease requiring emergency care: a cross-sectional pilot study

BackgroundIndividuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) report a diminished perceived functional autonomy as their condition progresses. For those seeking emergency care, it is unknown whether the patient-physician relationship is instrumental in respecting patient autonomy. This study evaluated patient autonomy ideals in individuals with PD requiring emergency care and the perceived support for autonomy from emergency department physicians.MethodIndividuals with PD (n = 36, average age 78.1 years) were surveyed using the Ideal Patient Autonomy questionnaire (IPA) and the Health Care Climate Questionnaire (HCCQ). A multivariable regression analysis assessed whether patients’ Hoehn and Yahr stage and IPA questionnaire results predicted HCCQ items.ResultsThe IPA questionnaire revealed that individuals with PD in need of emergency care emphasize the significance of medical expertise (IPA ‘doctor should decide’ theme 0.71) in decision-making and their desire to be fully informed about all potential risks (IPA ‘obligatory risk information’ theme 0.71). The average HCCQ values showed a decreasing trend across Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 to 5: 6.19, 6.03, 5.83, 5.80, and 5.23, respectively. HY scale values also influenced HCCQ items related to the physician’s role.ConclusionIn our cohort, individuals with Parkinson’s disease tend to rely on medical expertise for decision-making and prioritize complete risk information during emergency care. However, this autonomy support diminishes as functional disability levels increase.

A proactive/reactive mass screening approach with uncertain symptomatic cases.

We study the problem of mass screening of heterogeneous populations under limited testing budget. Mass screening is an essential tool that arises in various settings, e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of mass screening is to classify the entire population as positive or negative for a disease as efficiently and accurately as possible. Under limited budget, testing facilities need to allocate a portion of the budget to target sub-populations (i.e., proactive screening) while reserving the remaining budget to screen for symptomatic cases (i.e., reactive screening). This paper addresses this decision problem by taking advantage of accessible population-level risk information to identify the optimal set of sub-populations for proactive/reactive screening. The framework also incorporates two widely used testing schemes: Individual and Dorfman group testing. By leveraging the special structure of the resulting bilinear optimization problem, we identify key structural properties, which in turn enable us to develop efficient solution schemes. Furthermore, we extend the model to accommodate customized testing schemes across different sub-populations and introduce a highly efficient heuristic solution algorithm for the generalized model. We conduct a comprehensive case study on COVID-19 in the US, utilizing geographically-based data. Numerical results demonstrate a significant improvement of up to 52% in total misclassifications compared to conventional screening strategies. In addition, our case study offers valuable managerial insights regarding the allocation of proactive/reactive measures and budget across diverse geographic regions.

Study of Fall Army Worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Risk Communication Sources and Information Needs of Rural Maize Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Study of Fall Army Worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Risk Communication Sources and Information Needs of Rural Maize Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Assessing the acceptability and appropriateness of a psychoeducational graphic novel about inherited cancer risk designed for men.

Men with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at an increased lifetime risk for developing breast cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Men report that managing clinical care is challenging because they are under-informed about their cancer risks. As the demand for genetic testing has increased, so too has the need to relay accurate and relatable genetic health information. This research developed and assessed the acceptability and appropriateness of a psychoeducational graphic novel designed for men to improve their cancer risk knowledge, manage their cancer-related uncertainty, and increase their intent to disclose their BRCA1/2 risks to family members and healthcare providers. Through purposive and snowball sampling, men (n = 20) and certified genetic counselors (CGCs; n = 15) participated in semi-structured interviews assessing the acceptability and appropriateness of the graphic novel. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Both reported that the graphic novel confirmed risk information provided helpful resources, included relatable storylines, and had a unique visual appeal. Some men remained unsure about how to perform recommended screenings and how to talk to family members, particularly children, about BRCA1/2 test results after assessing the graphic novel. CGCs also discussed the helpfulness of the graphic novel for their practice. Given that this psychoeducational graphic novel was appealing to men and CGCs, it shows promise as an acceptable approach that may assist men in managing their cancer risks and communicating their genetic risk information to family members and healthcare providers.

Young Adults' Attention to Reduced Exposure Claims in IQOS Advertising and Associations With Product Perceptions and Use Intentions.

Noncombusted tobacco products, particularly those authorized as modified-risk tobacco products, may appeal to young adults. This cross-sectional study explored young adults' attention to reduced exposure claims in IQOS advertising and its associations with product perceptions and use intentions. Fifty-one young adults aged 21-29 (mean age = 24.5 years old, 54.9% who smoked cigarettes, 47.1% male, 66.7% White) viewed an IQOS advertisement containing two reduced exposure claims (one large, one detailed) for 20 seconds during eye-tracking, then completed postexposure questionnaires (risk beliefs, harm perceptions, attitudes, and use intentions). We compared attention and questionnaire measures by smoking status and examined associations between attention to reduced exposure claims and questionnaire measures. Overall, the large (vs. detailed) reduced exposure claim attracted young adults' attention more quickly, but the detailed claim held attention longer than all other advertisement features (p's < .001). There were no differences by smoking status in how quickly either claim attracted or held initial attention, but young adults who smoked (vs. did not smoke) spent more cumulative time looking at the large claim and less time looking at the detailed claim (p's < .05). Among those who smoked, greater dwell time on the detailed reduced exposure claim was associated with more beliefs about reduced harm, lower perceived risk of addiction, and greater intentions to try IQOS (p's < .05). Detailed information on reduced exposure in IQOS advertising may convey reduced risk and potentially promote uptake of IQOS among young adults who smoke and attend to this content. Findings from this exploratory, single-exposure study demonstrate differences in young adults' attention to reduced exposure claims in an IQOS advertisement based on their smoking status. Among those who smoke, greater attention to detailed reduced exposure information was associated with reduced perceptions of harm compared to cigarettes, and greater intentions to try IQOS. Findings suggest that among young adults who smoke cigarettes and visually engage with this content, detailed text containing IQOS' authorized reduced exposure claims is interpreted as reduced risk information and may promote uptake of this product.

Predicting households’ attitudes and product adoption intentions

PurposeThe present study aims to examine the households’ attitudes and intentions to adopt an indoor air purifier against the smog crisis in India by using a comprehensive theoretical framework based on the combination of the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 also emphasized ensuring a healthy and safe life, especially by achieving SDG-3, SDG-11 and SDG-13.Design/methodology/approachUsing purposive sampling, the data were collected through a survey questionnaire distributed to 382 households, and study hypotheses were assessed by using partial least squares structural equation modeling employing SmartPLS.FindingsThe results revealed that mental health risk perception (MHRP) was the most influential determinant of households’ attitudes toward adopting air purifiers, followed by smog knowledge, physical health risk perception (PHRP), information seeking and product knowledge. Notably, results revealed that households’ attitude is a leading determinant of their adoption intention toward the air purifier compared to subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC).Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to provide new insights into an individual’s protective behavior response toward ecological hazards by examining the households’ adoption intention toward the air purifier against the smog crisis using PADM and TPB model inclusively. In addition, the present study analyzes the impact of both PHRP and MHRP on individuals’ protective behavior separately. Also, this study provides theoretical contributions and important practical implications for the government, manufacturers and air purifier sellers.

Reporting Corporate Risk: An Empirical Inquiry into Listed Entities in the Saudi Capital Market

A capital market with greater transparency provides more accurate metrics for measuring corporate performance, which can be utilized to inform market participants’ decisions. Informed risk is crucial to corporate reporting transparency. This empirical study explores the extent to which firms in the Saudi capital market disclose risk information, whether financial or non-financial. A risk disclosure index (RDI) is constructed based on a rigorous literature review of previous studies, considering suggested items related to corporate risk that must be disclosed. The sample comprises 50 corporations, with five companies representing the energy sector, three representing the utility sector, and forty-two representing the materials sector. The findings reveal moderate financial risk disclosure (sample mean 56%) and low non-financial risk disclosure (sample mean 33%) in the Saudi capital market. In the energy sector, the disclosed financial and non-financial risks comprise 57% and 37%, respectively; in the utility sector, these proportions are 56% and 31%, while in the materials sector, they are 54% and 33%, respectively. Regulators should prioritize high-quality, transparent, and comparable risk information disclosure to attract direct foreign investment. To improve their risk disclosure, managers of firms can also employ the RDI to examine the extent of risk their companies face. This study is limited to the annual and board reports of companies in the three sectors.

Attack Risk Analysis in Data Anonymization in Internet of Things

An enormous volume of data is generated in the Internet of Things (IoT), which needs to be anonymized before sharing with public or third parties to minimize reidentification risk and protect sensitive information. Data anonymization techniques can remove information capable of identifying individuals. However, inappropriate data anonymization can increase the risk of reidentification. This work focuses on potential attack risks of anonymized data by evaluating the potential attack risks. Specifically, we analyzed the attack risks over anonymized data with both randomization and generalization techniques. We also analyzed the risk of reidentification for five commonly used data anonymization techniques. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed solution can well evaluate the potential attack risks.

The Gaps Between Institutional and Practical Disaster Risk Management Measures on Coastal Flood Risks in South Korea’s Coastal Communities

Global warming and climate change significantly increase the frequency of coastal floods caused by sea level rise (SLR) as a permanent factor and hydrometeorological hazards as tentative factors. The combined risks will affect coastal communities. South Korea is gradually facing SLR risks, mainly in its southern coastal regions; however, disaster risk reduction (DRR) in coastal regions remains fragmented. This study aimed to investigate the status of DRR for coastal communities in South Korea by looking at government practices and testimonies from residents. This study reviewed DRR-related regulations and documents and collected data from interviews with local government officials, field visits, and informal conversations with residents in six coastal communities. The findings show that the coastal communities were less resilient to coastal floods than to other hazards, such as typhoons and heavy rains, and the potential consequences could be expanded due to demographic challenges, fragmented institutional systems, and low risk awareness. Moreover, this study emphasized the necessity of an integrated approach to reducing the impact of coastal floods caused by both SLR and other factors. It also highlighted the importance of coastal community engagement in local DRR activities through increasing risk awareness and adapting to environmental change based on appropriate risk information disclosure by the government. The impacts of coastal floods triggered by SLR and other hazard factors can be reduced by aligning practical regulatory measures with adaptive strategies and enhancing the disaster resilience of coastal communities.

Integrating Genetics in Glaucoma Screening.

As additional glaucoma genes are identified and classified, polygenic risk scores will be refined, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment. Ensuring genetic research is equitable to prevent glaucoma blindness worldwide is crucial. To review the progress in glaucoma genetics over the past 25 years, including the identification of genes with varying contributions to the disease and the development of polygenic risk scores. Over the last 2 and a half decades, glaucoma genetics has evolved from identifying genes with Mendelian inheritance patterns, such as myocilin and CYP1B1, to the discovery of hundreds of genes associated with the disease. Polygenic risk scores have been developed, primarily based on research in Northern European populations, and efforts to refine these scores are ongoing. However, there is a question regarding their applicability to other ethnic groups, especially those at higher risk of primary open angle glaucoma, like individuals of African ancestry. Glaucoma is highly heritable and family history can be used for cascade clinical screening programs, but these will not be feasible in all populations. Thus, cascade genetic testing using well-established genes such as myocilin may help improve glaucoma diagnosis. In addition, ongoing investigations seek to identify pathogenic genetic variants within genes like myocilin. The expanding availability of genetic testing for various diseases and early access to genetic risk information necessitates further research to determine when and how to act on specific genetic results. Polygenic risk scores involving multiple genes with subtle effects will require continuous refinement to improve clinical utility. This is crucial for effectively interpreting an individual's risk of developing glaucoma and preventing blindness.

Equity-informed social media COVID-19 risk communication strategies: a scoping review

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating worldwide impact but most prominent was its effect on marginalised, underserved and equity-deserving populations. Social media arose as an important platform from which health...