Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 25, 2020

Relationships Between Initial COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Protective Health Behaviors: A National Survey

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  • An online survey of a nationally representative US sample (n=6,684) found that the median perceived risk of infection with COVID-19 was 10% and death was 5%. An increase of 1 quartile in perceived infection risk was associated with 1.5-fold greater likelihood of reporting handwashing and a 1.2-fold greater likelihood of practicing social distancing behavior. 

de Bruin and Bennett. (May 22, 2020). Relationships Between Initial COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Protective Health Behaviors: A National Survey. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2020.05.001