Before Risk Communication: Hazard and Hazard Communication

Çağrı Emin ŞAHİNa,b, Mehmet GÜLLÜOĞLUc

aİstanbul Medipol University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Epidemiology Program, İstanbul, Türkiye
bUniversity of Health Sciences Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Türkiye
cEmbassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Darussalam, Darussalam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT
Risk and crisis management plays an important role in areas such as disaster management and occupational health. In this study, the concepts of hazard and hazard communication, which form the basis of risk communication, are discussed. The aim of this chapter is to present the conceptual framework of hazard and hazard communication and to emphasise its importance for risk management with examples. Through a literature review, concepts and definitions related to hazard and hazard communication are analysed. The importance of hazard communication is emphasised through hazards that are prominent in the field of public health. Hazard is defined as an event or situation that has the potential to cause harm. Hazard communication is a process used to increase knowledge and awareness about hazards. Hazard and hazard communication are of great importance for effective risk management. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the concepts underlying risk communication.
Keywords: Biohazard release; chemical hazard release; public health; health communication

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