Radon risk perception and testing: Sociodemographic correlates

While numerous health education campaigns have been carried out to alert the public to radon's potential dangers and to encourage testing and mitigation, there has been little follow-up to determine which segments of the public are now most aware of the possible hazards of radon. Using information from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we have examined beliefs regarding radon and radon-testing activities among different sociodemographic groups. We used logistic regression to determine the relationship between these beliefs and actions and age, gender, education, income, minority status, and smoking status. Our results suggest relatively superficial knowledge regarding radon, and very little testing, within the survey population. In particular, significantly less knowledge was observed among female and minority respondents, while less testing behavior was seen among older respondents. Lower educational levels and lower family income were associated with both decreased knowledge and testing. Recommendations for future education campaigns are discussed.