Using hypothetical data to assess the effect of numerical format and context on the perception of coronary heart disease risk.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that responses to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk estimates are heightened by use of ratio formats, peer group risk information, and long time frames.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, experimental, between-factors design.


METHODS
Three regions in England.


METHODS
A total of 740 men and women ages 30 to 70 years.


METHODS
Risk perception, "emotional" response, intention to change lifestyle.


METHODS
Logistic regression was used to investigate the impact of numerical format (ratio vs. percentage), peer group risk (personal vs. peer group), and time frame (10-year vs. 30-year) on risk perception. Analysis of variance was used to investigate the impact of these factors on emotional response and intention to change lifestyle questions.


RESULTS
Higher perceived risk was observed when risk was presented as a ratio (p < .001) and when it was supplemented with peer group risk estimates (p = .006). Emotional responses to risk information were heightened when risk was presented as a ratio (p = .0004) and supplemented with peer group risk estimates (p = .002). Presentation with ratios also increased intention to make lifestyle changes (p = .047).


CONCLUSIONS
Perception of CHD risk information is affected by the presentation format. Where absolute risks may appear low, use of ratios and supplementation of personal risk estimates with peer group risk may increase risk perception.
Fair
Anna K I
AK
Unilever Corporate Research, Sharnbrook, Bedford, United Kingdom. akif2@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Murray
Peter G
PG
Thomas
Anna
A
Cobain
Mark R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010379:Peer Group; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012938:Social Perception; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology