[How to increase the chance of understanding? A perspective on risk communication]

Risk communication is often seen as summarizing the results of epidemiological research in layman's terms, assuming that this information is sufficient for citizens to make choices. However, many people struggle to understand and make sense of the numbers in which risks are expressed. People also generally do not have an epidemiological view of their health, but use their own experiences and ideas about health and disease that determine how they understand information. Other aspects play a role than just the probability and severity of a negative event such as an illness. It is therefore not surprising that people sometimes make different choices than health professionals. For effective risk communication, it is important to communicate this information in understandable numerical formats, such as natural frequencies. However, this is not enough. Effective risk communication also relates to taking into account the risk perception of citizens or patients.