Risk communication and COVID-19 in Europe: lessons for future public health crises

Abstract

Risk communication is key to engaging with the public on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to promote acceptance, compliance and policy support. This article outlines the considerations needed for effective risk communication to promote support for and compliance with NPIs alongside building trust, before assessing the hazard characteristics of COVID-19 on public perceptions. Highlighting examples of risk communication successes and failures in five European case study countries: France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, this article aims to underline the impact of risk communication on public trust and confidence in respective government COVID-19 strategies, and outline recommendations for future public health crises.