Positive Health and Safety Advisories More Effective than Negative Warnings with Young People

One recent research conducted by the University College London revealed that young people respond better to positive advisories on health and safety than they do to negative warnings. This was disclosed after a study was conducted among 52 volunteer participants with an age range of 9 to 26.

Presentation and evaluation

The volunteers in the study were asked to look into and evaluate some events that pose risks on health and lives. Examples of these events are vehicular accidents, occurrence of diseases and others that are deemed hazardous to life and limb. After the events were shown to the young participants, they were presented with real figures that define each incident. They were then asked to evaluate the chances and to give their insight on whether or not the risks applied to them and what measures they must do to avoid them.

Positive information more effective

From the feedback given by the volunteer subjects, the researchers gathered that the younger people gave more heed to positive messages than negative campaigns. All the participants however learned more from the positive information although those in the younger bracket did not give much importance to the warnings. The outcome of this study enabled researchers to correlate the reason why many people disregard the warnings on cigarette labels about the ill effects of smoking. Despite stern advice about the risks of cigarette on life and the graphic images showing the damages on a smoker’s vital organs, the number of teenagers who smoke has not declined.

More correlations

Other studies relating to the recent research by the University College London illustrate conflicting statistical results between people who do read warning labels and those who actually follow the advice. In 1982, food manufacturers were instructed by the Food and Drug Administration to indicate the sodium content of their products on the labels. The purpose of this advice is to create awareness among people about the health implications of the food they are eating. High sodium content is medically associated with hypertension and other health issues. However the result could not exactly quantify the responses from consumers so that it is difficult to establish if the warnings were really followed.

More safety and health issues

Label warnings and safety campaigns include other issues such as the use of safety belts in vehicles, protective helmets in motorcycles, wearing goggles and gloves when doing tasks like hammering and carrying out chemical experiments and observing speed limits in highways. Although warnings are consistently posted in strategic areas for people to comply with, statistics show more individuals actually encounter accidents and even lose their lives on the road and activities that entail some risks.

Information drive

The outcome of the study by the UCL has prompted educators, health officials and community workers to strengthen information drives on the promotion of safety and protection of health and life. Furthermore, researchers need to do more studies on how positive campaigns can be integrated in school curricula where students can learn the value of healthy and safe practices in life. Instead of giving out warning orders and posting notices, information dissemination strategy must be carried out to make people understand the benefits of observing safety at all times, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption as well as substance abuse and being careful about their food consumption.