Popular press coverage of eight National Institutes of Health consensus development topics
J. D. Winkler, D. E. Kanouse, L. Brodsley and R. H. Brook
The quality of medical journalism has been widely criticized. As part of a
larger evaluation study, we analyzed popular press coverage of eight topics
selected by the National Institutes of Health for consensus development
conferences in 1979 and 1980. Using periodical indexes to identify relevant
articles, we analyzed the characteristics of 269 topical articles published
in newspapers and magazines in the four years surrounding each conference
and examined the role that the conference played in subsequent reporting.
Most topics received widespread press interest that culminated around the
time of each conference. Consensus findings were widely cited in articles
that appeared after the conferences. Articles were mostly factual and
balanced, relied on experts, and emphasized major themes covered by the
conference. We conclude that the popular press can make an important
contribution to the dissemination of new medical information.
