Applying harm reduction to COVID-19 prevention: The influence of moderation messages and risk infographics

Abstract

Objective We propose that harm reduction messages advocating moderation versus abstinence from social interaction will be seen as less threatening and increase intentions to follow COVID-19 guidelines. We also examine two important moderators: the influence of risk framing and willingness to risk infection. Method A 2 × 2 between-participants, randomized experiment ( N = 476) varied infographics portraying low-risk behaviors, like going camping, versus high-risk behaviors, like attending a concert, followed by either moderation or abstinence guidelines. Participants in two additional control groups saw an infographic displaying either a full range of risk behaviors or behaviors that pose no risk, each followed by generic guidelines. Results Regression analyses show moderation messages are less freedom-threatening only when presenting low-risk behaviors. Persons more willing to risk infection found all messages more freedom-threatening; however, for these individuals, moderation messages increased behavioral intentions when risks were presented as high. Conclusion This study suggests harm reduction may be applied effectively in a pandemic, where the behavior of risk-tolerant individuals, at a population level, could have suboptimal effects on curbing virus transmission. Practice implications Health educators should communicate harm reduction with certain populations but also test to ensure messaging, including visuals communicating relative risks, are received as intended.

Individualism, economic development, and democracy as determinants of COVID-19 risk information on 132 government websites

“…On the other hand, such a design may be an intentional harm-reduction strategy employed by democratic governments. Harm reduction emphasizes the reduction of, rather than abstinence from, health-threatening behaviors (e.g., frequent social gatherings during the pandemic) ( Kemp et al, 2022 ). By downplaying information about the severity of COVID-19 case surges, individual vulnerability, and restrictive policies, governments may avoid the risk of freedom infringement, which democracies value.…”

“…Consequently, governments with individualistic cultures were slow to impose stringent measures ( Chen et al, 2021 ); citizens in individualistic societies value individual rights and preferences and are less likely to comply with drastic interventions ( Cao et al, 2020 , Maaravi et al, 2021 , Ashraf et al, 2022 , Huang et al, 2022 ). Individualistic countries had a high number of COVID-19 cases and mortality rates ( Maaravi et al, 2021 ), which may be attributable to people’s reluctance to abide by restrictive policies that jeopardize their freedom ( Huang et al, 2022 , Kemp et al, 2022 ). Therefore, governments might emphasize self-responsibility for prevention (e.g., vaccination) and refrain from intensive regulations depending on the level of individualism.…”

Understanding youths’ concerns about climate change: a binational qualitative study of ecological burden and resilience

“…Harm reduction refers to interventions aimed at reducing the negative effects of health behaviors without expectations of complete or permanent elimination of the behaviors [ 15 ]. Messaging emphasizing moderation rather than abstinence allows flexibility to engage in “modified risks” by allowing individuals a greater sense of autonomy over their health [ 16 ]. Similarly, harm reduction could be applied to climate action at the individual level.…”

The discourse of COVID-19 vaccine in the Indonesian Ministry of Health Instagram @kemenkes_ri

“…Szmuda et al (2020) suggested that infographics are convenient to share on social media and could help spread disease-related health information. It actively illustrates that health literacy should be considered while digesting infographics and behavior advice (Kemp et al 2021). During times of extreme stress and concern, people's ability to integrate new health information into their decisions is damaged.…”