RiCoRT aims at providing a long-term SARS-CoV-2 risk communication manual, based on empirical evidence, risk communication experience and a consensus among communication experts. Effective communication will help to reduce risks to health and life and can contribute to a better health record in the current COVID-19 crisis. Two groups will be addressed in a survey and with focus group methods: Young adults (between 18 and 30) and elderly people (50-70).
Communication methods and formats will be designed that promise to foster adequate behavior thus leading to risk reduction. The chain from risk perception, awareness, willingness to act up to behavioral change informs the analysis. The risk perception paradox describing the gap between risk perception and protective action, can be addressed by identifying the opportunities of and barriers to risk adaptive behavior and enabling target-specific and inclusive risk communication. A long-term risk communication program will be established. Based on the experience of DIALOGIK in risk communication research including its contributions to the development of the IRGC risk governance framework, the project will use survey methods in conjunction with focus groups and consensus methods (e.g. the Group Delphi).