Perceived risk, health protective behavior, and trust: a case study of the flint water crisis

Abstract

The Flint Water Crisis exemplifies one of the most significant environmental disasters in the recent U.S. history. While hazard exposure and effects pertaining to the crisis have been addressed, and technical experts have pronounced Flint’s water safe for consumption, media reports and stories from community members suggest that significant distrust remains among residents regarding their water supply. We use data from an online survey administered in Flint and surrounding counties in Southeast Michigan to examine the extent and variation in risk perception, health protective behavior, and trust in these communities with respect to their water supply. Conceptually, we engage the Social Amplification of Risk Framework. Accordingly, Flint residents indeed have higher risk perceptions and report higher negative health impacts compared to residents in surrounding counties. They also report engaging in more health protective behavior. On the contrary, Flint residents express lower levels of trust in entities that are tasked with managing risks. Risk perception, negative health experience, and trust appear as statistically significant correlates of Flint residents’ confidence in their water supply. The salience and variation of attitudes across the region suggests that the water crisis has had ripple effects as predicted by the Social Amplification of Risk Framework.