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Heart disease and gender in mass print media

Juanne Clarke1

  • 1Wilrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave. W, Waterloo, Ontario, N2K4G8 Canada. jclarke@wlu.ca

Maturitas
|December 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Media coverage often under-represents women

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Media Studies

Background:

  • Heart disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally.
  • Women are frequently under-diagnosed and undertreated for heart disease.
  • Physicians may dismiss or underestimate the severity of women's cardiac symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the portrayal of gender and heart disease in popular mass print media.
  • To identify common themes and biases in media reporting on women's heart health.

Main Methods:

  • A review of popular mass print media content.
  • Analysis of how gender is presented in relation to heart disease.

Main Results:

  • Under-representation of heart disease as a concern for women.
  • Dismissal or sensationalization of women's heart disease narratives.
  • Media linked women's heart disease to menopause, spousal conditions, and masculinity.
  • Promotion of fear and cholesterol-lowering drug use among women.

Conclusions:

  • Popular media often misrepresents women's heart disease, contributing to under-diagnosis.
  • Further research and practice interventions are needed to improve media portrayal and clinical practice.
  • Addressing gender bias in media is crucial for public health awareness and equitable care.

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