Work

Risk perceptions and protective behaviors at the onset and outset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We study the formation of risk perceptions— subjective probability beliefs— of three adverse events—COVID-19 contagion, influenza contagion, and food poisoning—at the onset (2020) and outset (2023) of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. We show that perceived risk levels for COVID-19 are similar to those for influenza, are not significantly influenced by proximity to infection, and are shaped instead by an individual’s gender, education, and employment status. Using an instrumental variable strategy, we assess whether these perceptions influence a number of protective behaviors. We find that although risk perceptions are associated with various protective behaviors, they only causally increase the likelihood of phone or online medical consultations by about a percentage point.

Source: Journal of Risk and Uncertainty

DOI: 10.1007/s11166-026-09492-y

Authors: Joan Costa-Font, Melcior Rossello Roig, Caroline Rudisill, Luca Salmasi

Institutions: London School of Economics and Political Science, NHS England, University of South Carolina, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Language: English

Topic: Risk Perception and Management

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090