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Understanding mass media coverage of disease clusters
1Department of Urban Studies and Community Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
American Journal of Epidemiology
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Health investigators must inform the public about disease clusters, often via mass media. Media coverage frequently emphasizes human interest and blame over scientific facts, necessitating improved communication strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Communication
- Media Studies
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Health investigators are responsible for disseminating information on disease clusters to the public.
- Mass media serves as the primary channel for communicating these health events.
- Effective communication is crucial for public understanding and response to health crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze mass media coverage of disease clusters.
- To identify common themes and biases in media reporting.
- To provide recommendations for health practitioners on communicating with journalists.
Main Methods:
- Formal content analysis of approximately 600 media stories.
- Examination of nightly network television news coverage (1978-1987).
- Analysis of newspaper coverage for four specific disease clusters.
Main Results:
- Mass media coverage disproportionately focuses on human interest elements.
- Reporting often includes conflicting information and assigns blame.
- Political symbolism is frequently integrated into health event coverage.
- Media narratives may not accurately reflect the scientific aspects of disease clusters.
Conclusions:
- Current mass media practices present challenges for accurate public health communication.
- Health practitioners require strategies to effectively engage with journalists.
- Improving communication can lead to better public understanding of disease clusters.