Understanding How We Perceive Health Risks: A Deep Dive with Jocelyn Raude

How do we assess the dangers to our health? Are our instincts aligned with scientific evidence? A webinar on March 18, 2026, featuring health psychology expert Jocelyn Raude, will explore the complex interplay between biology, culture, and our perception of risk. This article delves into the core concepts Raude will address, examining the cognitive and social factors that shape our understanding of health threats.

The Gap Between Perception and Reality

Risk is generally defined as the probability of an adverse event occurring, weighted by the severity of its consequences. However, our judgments are often skewed. Highly publicized dangers frequently receive disproportionate attention, although significant health risks – such as those associated with alcohol consumption or certain accidents – are often underestimated. This disconnect between perceived risk and actual risk is a central focus of the field of risk psychology.

Jocelyn Raude: A Leading Voice in Health Risk Psychology

Jocelyn Raude, a professor of health psychology at the School of Advanced Studies in Public Health (EHESP) in Rennes, France, has dedicated his career to understanding how individuals and communities respond to health risks. His research spans a range of topics, including:

• Behavioral responses to emerging infectious diseases (such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and Zika virus).
• The psychological and socioecological factors influencing health-promoting behaviors.
• The cognitive and social mechanisms underlying risk perception and adaptation.

Raude’s earlier perform focused on consumer behavior during the “mad cow” crisis, demonstrating his long-standing interest in how individuals navigate health risks in the face of uncertainty. His current research explores the interplay between epidemiological and social cognitive drivers of behavior change during pandemics, as well as parental preferences for HPV vaccination promotion messages.

Webinar Details

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM CET (20h00)
Topic: Perception of health risks: from biology to culture
Speaker: Jocelyn Raude

Access:

• Afis Website: Members will receive a Zoom link. Non-members can join Afis or register specifically for the webinar.

The Importance of Understanding Risk Perception

Understanding the biases that influence our perception of health risks is crucial for effective public health communication and intervention. By recognizing these biases, we can develop strategies to promote informed decision-making and encourage behaviors that protect our health. Raude’s webinar promises to provide valuable insights into these complex processes.