New Directions for Risk Communication Research: a Discussion With Additional Suggestions

theme of suggesting new directions for risk communication research in cancer prevention and control. Huerta and Macario remind us once again that sociocultural factors must be considered when conducting risk communication research on underserved populations. Of special note is their recommendation to target the family, which could introduce a compelling new chapter in risk communication research in cancer prevention and control. In contrast, Kreuter chal-lenges us to consider multiple cancer risks and risk-reducing behaviors in our research and provides a provocative frame-work for achieving this goal. Given this common theme and the need to position specific recommendations within the larger context of other competing research questions, this paper also highlights several additional recommendations for future research. These recommendations include the fol-lowing: more research on risk presentation; establishing guidelines for measuring risk; additional research testing strategies to de-bias optimistic and pessimistic perceptions of risk and evaluating risk communication as a strategy for behavior change; more research investigating the sociology of risk communication, with a special emphasis on the family as the unit of investigation; and, finally, more research that specifically targets underserved populations in diverse com-munity settings. [Monogr National Cancer Inst 1999;25:35– 42] I am delighted to have this opportunity to respond to the papers by Huerta and Macario (1) and Kreuter (2). Both papers share the common theme of suggesting new directions for re-search in risk communication. The main thesis of Huerta and Macario is that more research is needed that specifically targets underserved and minority populations, while Kreuter proposes that future research consider the challenge of targeting multiple risk factors. Although both papers approach this general theme from different perspectives, each has substantial merit as we contemplate the future course of risk communication research in cancer prevention and control