Risk and Crisis Communication in Epidemics

Adalet ALTUNSOYa

aUniversity of Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinic Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
The chapter ”Risk and Crisis Communication in Epidemics” encapsulates the essence of deploying effective communication strategies in the face of public health crises, underscoring the imperative of understanding risk perception, the historical evolution of communication practices, and the foundational principles of transparency, empathy, and leadership. It highlights the significance of strategic frameworks that prioritize clear, targeted messaging and the selection of appropriate channels to engage diverse audiences. The narrative emphasizes the critical roles of community engagement, ethical considerations, interprofessional collaboration, and the ongoing evaluation and adaptation of communication strategies to meet the dynamic challenges of epidemics. Concluding with a call for adaptability, technological advancement, and global collaboration, the chapter outlines a path forward for enhancing the effectiveness of epidemic response through principled and inclusive communication efforts.
Keywords: Crises and risk communication; epidemics communication; epidemics

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