The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66118

Diana Bontá, RN, DrPH¹, Vicki Beck, MS², Amanda Shaivitz, MPH², and Ken August, BA¹. (1) California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 1650, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 657-1425, Lpennin1@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Hollywood, Health & Society, USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, 8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Entertainment education may be used to disseminate useful information to multicultural audiences about disease, injury and disability, as well as address racial disparities in health care. An analysis of national Healthstyles data on prime time viewers and health information revealed that more than half of Hispanic and African American viewers who heard about a health issue or disease on prime time TV shows took action (Beck et al, 2001). CDC audience research further indicates that some Hispanic and African American women who are regular viewers of entertainment television shows pay more attention to health information and report higher rates of behavioral response to the storylines than white viewers (for e.g. discussion with others, calling for more information, and doing something to prevent the health problem).

Conducting briefings with TV writers is an outreach activity that has successfully resulted in the development of prime time and daytime storylines that address a variety of public health issues. Hollywood, Health & Society—a project of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center—works with leading experts to provide timely and accurate health information to television writers. Dr. Diana Bontá, a Hollywood, Health & Society board member, recently briefed writers and producers from several popular prime time TV shows on minority health issues, particularly those that disproportionately affect Hispanic and African-American individuals. Dr. Bontá will discuss her experience in using this approach as a way to educate U.S. viewing audiences about critical minority health issues.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe an approach that supports TV writers in their efforts to incorporate public health issues into storylines.
• Name 3 health issues that critically affect minority individuals.

Keywords: Research Agenda, Minority Health

Related Web page: www.entertainment.usc.edu/hhs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.