This substantive, insightful book demonstrates the growing importance of risk communication as both a technical and cultural phenomenon. The authors discuss the various processes used to communicate risk to citizens; explore how the public responds to risk messages; and examine how social, economic, historical, and political factors can influence the success or failure of risk communication.

This substantive, insightful book demonstrates the growing importance of risk communication as both a technical and cultural phenomenon. The authors discuss the various processes used to communicate risk to citizens; explore how the public responds to risk messages; and examine how social, economic, historical, and political factors can influence the success or failure of risk communication. Cases presented in this volume demonstrate the diversity of risk communication approaches and activities, including public activism, federal and state agency responses, private sector response, and media coverage.