Library Journal
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Biomedical engineer Johnson (physician assistant, Rocky Vista Univ., CO) and neuroscientist Chudler (both, Brain Bytes) take a witty yet scientific look at the many fears disseminated by traditional news sources and social media in an effort to discern their real threat and harm. They categorize popular concerns into areas such as food (gluten), medicine (medical errors), environment (mobile phones), chemicals (mercury), animals (shark attacks), and travel (public -restrooms). For each, the authors provide a narrative evaluation (the item's preventability, likelihood, and consequences), complete with a worry index. VERDICT Validated information that will assist readers in determining what is and isn't worth fretting about and how to mitigate the dangers. © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Sign off of social media, put down your phone, and let the experts tell you which things you really should, or should not, spend your time worrying about. Worried? could easily be used as a reference tool for worriers. The topics are divided by category (e.g., food, medicine, travel, etc.) and cover many common concerns and anxieties concerning everything from venomous snakes to public restrooms. Each topic covered in the book is placed on the worry index, which is based on preventability, likelihood, and consequence. If readers aren't satisfied with the scope of topics, a do-it-yourself research tool is included to help people place their own topics on the index. And, if readers just want to jump to the section where they can learn to protect themselves, there is a handy list of six things you can do to minimize risks and worries at the same time. The authors are scientists and educators, the science is substantiated, and the facts are fun. Both a great at-home reference and public library book.--Joyce McIntosh Copyright 2019 Booklist

Choice
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

Johnson and Chudler tackle the widespread human problem of “worry.” The authors believe that in using scientific evidence and critical thinking we can better situate ourselves to evaluate the particular worrisome situation. They suggest that we worry only about things that are likely to happen, have the potential to do great harm, and can be avoided or mitigated through our actions. By using the “worry index” as a tool, the three components (preventability, likelihood, and consequence) of a particular problem can be addressed and placed on a scale. Extensive topics are covered, including specifics related to food, medicine, environment, chemicals, animals, travel and others. Each subject is covered with a brief overview, important background information, current research findings, and concludes with a summary (including the “worry index” calculations). References are listed at the end of each topic and an index is included. Written in a witty and entertaining fashion, the text presents valuable information for the reader, who can then make a personal, informed decision. The book can be used as a quick “go-to” reference and is highly recommended for general readers and above. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. --Jan Bailey, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Publishers Weekly
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Biomedical engineer Johnson and neuroscientist Chudler, who previously cowrote Brain Bytes: Quick Answers to Quirky Questions About the Brain, team up again for a cleverly conceived and well-executed examination of a host of common sources of worry: foods, medicines, the environment, chemicals, animals, and travel. For each topic, they evaluate the danger's preventability, consequences, and likelihood, combining the results on an easy-to-read grid divided into four categories: "don't worry; unlikely and preventable," "don't worry; unpreventable but unlikely," a fatalistic "don't worry; likely but unpreventable," and an unequivocal "worry about this." The medical worries range from the common-the health risks of using acetaminophen and oral contraception-to the rare-brain-eating amoeba and Ebola. Similarly, the animals evaluated include both everyday pets such as dogs and exotic predators such as sharks. The authors' selections also include, for food, caffeine, gluten, and salt; for environment, mobile phones and microwave ovens; and for travel, airport scanners and cruise ships. Their analyses are short but thorough, scientifically grounded with appropriate citations, and candid about when the science is still uncertain. Those already convinced that-to name three topics-fluoride, DEET, and GMOs are highly dangerous may balk at the contrary conclusions, but the open-minded will find a resource that is both useful and enjoyable. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.