Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

January 6, 2021

Exposure to Common Geographic COVID-19 Prevalence Maps and Public Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Behavioral Intentions

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Providing maps with COVID-19 case information did not improve public knowledge, risk perception, or reported intent to adhere to health guidelines according to results from a survey study. Participants were randomized to receive 1 of 6 maps (or no map) containing information on COVID-19 cases and scored on scales on total/per capita cases (score range 0-1), risk perception (score range 1-7), and willingness to adhere to guidelines (score range 0-100) with higher scores indicating more knowledge, higher perception of risk, greater intent to adhere to guidelines. Compared with participants who viewed a map, not viewing a map was associated with greater knowledge about total cases (mean score 0.60 vs 0.55). Respondents who saw a map had lower societal risk perceptions, with more optimism that the pandemic would be better in 2 weeks, compared with those who did not see a map (3.77 vs 4.02). Overall, respondents reported high willingness to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines (86.33), and scores were not significantly different by map provision or type.

Thorpe et al. (Jan 6, 2021). Exposure to Common Geographic COVID-19 Prevalence Maps and Public Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Behavioral Intentions. JAMA Network Open. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2774639