Risk Perceptions and Protective Behaviors at the Onset and Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Joan Costa-Font, Melcior Roig-Roselloa, Caroline Rudisill and Luca Salmasi
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Melcior Roig-Roselloa: NHS
Caroline Rudisill: University of South Carolina
Luca Salmasi: Universitta Cattolica del Cacro Cuore

No 18704, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: We study the formation of risk perceptions— subjective probability beliefs— of three adverse events—COVID-19 contagion, influenza contagion, and food poisoning—at the onset and outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, using survey data. We show that perceived risk levels for COVID-19 are similar to those for influenza but are not significantly influenced by proximity to infection and are shaped instead by an individual’s gender, education, and employment status. Using an instrumental variable strategy, we assess whether these perceptions influence a number of protective behaviors. Although risk perceptions are associated with various protective behaviors, we only find a causal impact in increasing the likelihood of phone or online medical consultations by only about a percentage point.

Keywords: risk perception; subjective probability; risk proximity; COVID-19; influenza; food poisoning; health consultations; protective behaviours (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D81 I13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06
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Working Paper: Risk Perceptions and Protective Behaviors at the Onset and Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2026)
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