Survey of Public Perceptions of Prion Disease Risks in Canada: What Does the Public Care About?

Abstract

A national public survey on public perceptions of prion disease risk in Canada was conducted from October to December 2007. The survey aimed at documenting the public's perceptions of prion diseases, within the broader context of food safety, in establishing parameters of risk acceptability. It also documented the public's perceptions of prion diseases in delineating social values and ethics that can guide Canada's future policies on prion disease risk management. In addition, the survey served to establish baseline data against which to monitor the evolution of the public's views on and understanding of this important risk issue. In total, 1517 Canadians were randomly selected to be representative of the adult population by region, age, and gender, as per the 2001 Census. This study presents descriptive findings from the survey regarding perceived risk, perceived control, uncertainty, sources of information, trust and knowledge, and beliefs pertaining to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The survey data reveal that Canadians do not perceive mad cow disease as a salient risk but consider it more of an economic, political, social, and foreign trade issue than a public health one. Canadians are somewhat prepared to pay a premium to have a safer food supply, but not to the same extent that they desire extra measures pertaining to BSE risk management. In the context of increasing accountability in risk management decisions about food safety and population health issues, it is important to understand the way Canadians perceive such matters and identify their information needs and the factors that influence the acceptability of risks and of risk management policies.

Managing the risks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy: a Canadian perspective

“…A national public survey on public perceptions of prion disease risk in Canada was conducted from October to December of 2007 (Lemyre et al, 2008). The survey aimed at documenting the public's perceptions of prion diseases within the broader context of food safety, in establishing parameters of risk acceptability, and in delineating social values and ethics that can guide Canada's future policies on prion disease RM.…”

“…The situation is far worse when it comes to the dimension of psychosocial impacts. Here too, at least in the case of public perception of risk, well-recognised survey tools are available which can provide reliable guides to the nature of public thinking on specific matters of risk (Lemyre et al, 2008). But they do not seem to be used, at least not often and consistently, in risk assessments.…”

Thematic Patterns on the Novel Coronavirus Epidemic in Canadian News

“…Such theories illustrate how the news affects the public's behaviours and beliefs toward a health risk (Boyd et al, 2009). Lemyre et al (2009) conducted a national public survey on the public's perception of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Using a questionnaire modelled similarly to the National Survey of Health Risk Perception and Acceptability in Canadians survey, the researchers found BSE represented no or little risk to their health; rather, it was a more important issue for social, political, and economic concerns (Lemyre et al, 2009).…”

“…Lemyre et al (2009) conducted a national public survey on the public's perception of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Using a questionnaire modelled similarly to the National Survey of Health Risk Perception and Acceptability in Canadians survey, the researchers found BSE represented no or little risk to their health; rather, it was a more important issue for social, political, and economic concerns (Lemyre et al, 2009). Similarly, Lemyre et al (2007) focus group study presented similar findings with individuals perceived risk of becoming infected by BSE (as cited in Lemyre et al, 2009).…”

“…Using a questionnaire modelled similarly to the National Survey of Health Risk Perception and Acceptability in Canadians survey, the researchers found BSE represented no or little risk to their health; rather, it was a more important issue for social, political, and economic concerns (Lemyre et al, 2009). Similarly, Lemyre et al (2007) focus group study presented similar findings with individuals perceived risk of becoming infected by BSE (as cited in Lemyre et al, 2009). The participants felt they needed to be better informed by the news media regarding BSE and the health risks associated with BSE.…”