When Networks Shape What We Fear: Risk Perception from Pandemics to the Operating Room

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In his lecture, Babak Heydari explores how individual health decisions are shaped not only by clinical evidence and personal experiences, but also by the social and professional networks in which patients and clinicians are embedded.

Drawing on his work at the intersection of network science, decision science, and complex systems, Heydari examines the “gray areas” that arise when clinical signals are uncertain and judgment becomes an important part of decision-making. Using Chiari as a case study, he considers how experiences shared through families, peers, online communities, colleagues, institutions, and professional networks can amplify or reduce perceived risk and influence treatment recommendations.

Heydari also highlights research demonstrating the powerful role of networks in health-related behavior and decision-making. He proposes that understanding variation in Chiari-related decisions may require looking beyond individuals to the networks and communities surrounding them. Ultimately, his work points toward a new approach: understanding and potentially improving healthcare decisions through network-level interventions, rather than focusing solely on individual patients or clinicians.

This lecture was presented on August 8th at Northeastern University. (2026)

This lecture was presented at the Chiari Research Open House at Northeastern University on August 8th. (2026)

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