Levels of evidence for human system risk evaluation

Area of Science:

• Spaceflight human health and performance risk assessment.
• Human systems risk management in aerospace medicine.

Background:

• NASA employs continuous risk management for spaceflight-induced health and performance risks.
• The evidence base for spaceflight risks is dynamic, drawing from diverse scientific disciplines.
• Characterizing evidence limitations is challenging due to the small number of space travelers and varied data sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe recent updates to the Human System Risk Board's (HSRB) methods for assessing and communicating astronaut risk.
• To enhance the reporting of evidence levels for human spaceflight risks and causal interactions.

Main Methods:

• Review and update methods for assigning evidence level scores to official risk postures.
• Refine the use of causal diagrams for HSRB risk communication.
• Adapt traditional evidence grading systems for the unique challenges of spaceflight research.

Main Results:

• Recent updates have been made to the HSRB's processes for scoring evidence levels.
• New methods are being implemented for causal diagrams to better represent spaceflight risks.
• The HSRB is improving its ability to convey uncertainty in astronaut risk assessments.

Conclusions:

• Updated methods improve the assessment and communication of human spaceflight risks.
• Enhanced evidence scoring and causal diagrams aid NASA decision-makers in understanding astronaut risks.
• Continuous refinement of risk management processes is crucial for human space exploration.