Between fear and facts: a bibliometric and systematic review of risk communication in the digital sphere

The proliferation of digital platforms has fundamentally reshaped risk communication, creating both opportunities and challenges for public health and safety, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where misinformation has amplified public skepticism. This evolving digital landscape necessitates innovative and nuanced risk communication strategies as traditional methods prove insufficient. To address conceptual gaps and fragmented theoretical perspectives in this rapidly expanding field, this study aimed to comprehensively understand the digital risk communication landscape by analyzing publication trends, influential subject areas, international collaboration networks, and dominant thematic clusters. Employing a systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines and a bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database and VOSviewer, the research identified 194 studies for bibliometric analysis and 40 for systematic review. Findings reveal a pronounced upward trend in publications post-2019, reflecting a multidisciplinary field drawing heavily from medicine, social sciences, computer science, and public health. The United States and United Kingdom lead in publication volume and impact, with Switzerland and Canada demonstrating significant influence through quality contributions. Key thematic clusters include Digital Health Communication & Pandemic Information Management, The Dynamics of Risk Communication, and The Psychological Impact of Misinformation and Trust. Future research and practical applications must prioritize developing adaptive, resilient communication strategies to counter misinformation, foster public trust through consistent messaging, and address digital equity gaps, necessitating a continued interdisciplinary approach to enhance global public health resilience.