Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
8-1994
Publisher
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Source Publication
AEJMC Annual Convention
Abstract
More and more communities are becoming concerned about health risks posed by lead and other health hazards in their drinking water. Our study, applying the model of innovation diffusion to the adoption of preventive health behaviors, found that reliance on health professionals for information about lead in tap water was associated with residents perceiving risk from this hazard and efficacy in dealing with it, and adopting preventive behaviors. Mass media and pamphlets direct-mailed to residents were relatively ineffective. Results suggest that a more concentrated, proactive public information effort might be needed to reach individuals who live in areas of highest risk from tap water lead. The relationships of access to and perceived usefulness of information to reliance on media for tap water lead information are also examined.
Recommended Citation
Griffin, Robert J.; Dunwoody, Sharon; Dybro, Thomas; and Zabala, Fernando, "The Relationship of Communication to Risk Perceptions and Preventive Behavior Related to Lead in Drinking Water" (1994). College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications. 655.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/comm_fac/655
Comments
The Relationship of Communication to Risk Perceptions and Preventive Behavior Related to Lead in Drinking Water." A paper presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, annual conferemce. Atlanta GA, August 1994. Publisher link. © 1994 The Author. Used with permission.