Facts versus fears: Understanding perceived risk

People respond to the hazards they perceive. If their perceptions are faulty, efforts at personal, public, and environmental protection are likely to be misdirected. For some hazards, such as motor vehicle accidents, extensive statistical data are readily available. For other familiar activities, such as the consumption of alcohol and tobacco, assessment of risk requires complex epidemiological and experimental studies. However, even when statistical data are plentiful, the "hard" facts can only go so far toward developing policy. At some point, human judgment is needed to interpret the findings and determine their relevance.