Open AccessThe implications of an epidemiological mistake: a community's response to a perceived excess cancer risk.
Author(s) -
Tee L. Guidotti,
Philip Jacobs
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.83.2.233
Subject(s) - allegation , risk perception , cancer , public health , demography , real estate , environmental health , gerontology , perception , psychology , medicine , social psychology , sociology , economics , political science , nursing , finance , neuroscience , law
The response of community residents to a perceived cancer excess may include changes in attitude, health-related behavior, and property values. In 1986, a cancer agency conducted a study of cancer incidence (1979 to 1983) in two suburbs of Edmonton, Alberta, and reported elevations on the order of 25% over expected for most sites. Reanalysis of these data several months later revealed an error. Correction brought the rates into line with Alberta as a whole and with other communities surrounding Edmonton.