title: Making numbers matter: present and future research in risk communication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize existing research on individual numeracy and methods for presenting risk information to patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selectively retrieved articles from MEDLINE and the Social Sciences Citation Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many Americans have low numeracy skills, a deficit that impedes effective health care. Approaches to risk communication vary in current practice, but how risks are presented can significantly affect both patients' risk perceptions and their knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adhering to some basic principles for presenting risk information to patients can improve understanding. However, different risk-communication methods may be needed for individuals with high versus low levels of numeracy.
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor VA HSR&D Center for Excellence, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0429, USA. fagerlin@umich.edu
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagerlin
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ubel
authors.forename: Dylan M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Zikmund-Fisher
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans