Risks are not equally distributed, with significant disparities in risk types, exposures and consequences between individuals and populations. While it is important that we approach risk communication and risk management from an equality perspective (giving everyone the same information, resources and protection), it is also important that use an equity perspective (giving everyone what they specifically need). In this talk, I will discuss some of the ways we can specifically address equity in risk communication and risk management. First, understanding and reflecting on the underlying principles of social justice is necessary to developing an equity perspective. Second, we need to carefully consider the language we use in risk discourses. Words common to our risk vernacular, such as vulnerability and resilience, are frequently seen as masking the underlying issues creating risk inequities, and shifting the onus (and even blame) for the risk to the individuals and communities affected. The word risk itself can have multiple and complex meanings.
Conversations and reflections on the meaning of risk for specific situations and peoples is critical to equitable risk management because “[w]hoever controls the definition of risk controls the rational solution to the problem at hand” (Slovic 1999). Risk inequities are thus created or exacerbated when the risk is only defined by outsiders. Finally, approaching risks from a strength- or asset-based approach can increase equity. Risks are often defined, communicated and managed using a deficit-approach that focuses solely on deleterious statistics and consequences. This negative approach undermines peoples’ ability to manage their own risks and forces a reliance on outside ‘experts’ to fix the problems, thereby robbing individuals and communities of their ability to care for themselves or others (especially for risk behaviors).
