Faculty Collaboration Database

Fight COVID Milwaukee protective behaviors and risk communications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023 Dec 22;13(1):22949

Date

12/23/2023

Pubmed ID

38135690

Pubmed Central ID

PMC10746720

DOI

10.1038/s41598-023-49829-0

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85180508271 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on society, causing significant disruptions to everyday life. Risk communication strategies can play an important role in risk management as they allow individuals to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies appropriately. The aim of this study is to investigate public risk behaviors, perceptions of risk and risk communication, and experiences with COVID-19 to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our community and to better inform public health decisions about communicating and reducing personal risk. Nine virtual focus groups were conducted with 79 residents of Milwaukee County. Audio transcripts of focus group recordings were qualitatively analyzed using MAXQDA. Predominant themes identified include public risk protective behaviors, the emotional toll associated with lockdown measures, and risk communication. Our findings provide a better understanding of how adults, African American and Hispanic groups in particular, viewed the risk communications and protective behaviors associated with COVID-19, how their lives were impacted by the pandemic, and how to effectively communicate public information about personal risk. These findings can help guide risk communication efforts and public health policy interventions for potential infection outbreaks in the future.

Author List

Titi M, Keval A, Martinez E, Dickson-Gomez J, Young S, Meurer J

Authors

Julia Dickson-Gomez PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
John R. Meurer MD, MBA Institute Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Staci A. Young PhD Sr Associate Dean, Associate Director, Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Communicable Disease Control
Communication
Humans
Pandemics
Risk-Taking