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Cited by 31Health Literacy and Information AccessibilityMedia Influence and HealthPublic Health and Social Inequalities

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 41 of the 42 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Mapping the Health Information Landscape in a Rural, Culturally Diverse Region: Implications for Interventions to Reduce Information Inequality

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Ramírez, A. Susana, Estrada, Erendira, Ruiz, Ariana·2017·The Journal of Primary Prevention
DOI 10.1007/s10935-017-0466-7PMC PMC5478445
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Abstract

The media is an important source of health information, especially critical in rural communities with geographically-dispersed populations that are harder to reach through other channels. Yet health information is unequally distributed; these information disparities are compounded in rural areas, which may contribute to health disparities. We identify and describe health-related news in a culturally-diverse rural California county characterized by high levels of poverty, unemployment, low educational attainment, and over half of Mexican-origin. We conducted a census of all available print news sources and then used content analysis to identify and characterize all health information printed in a 6-month study period. A total of 570 health-related articles were published. Five newspapers accounted for more than 80% of published health-related articles (n = 466); only one targeted the majority Latino population. The most common topic was access to health care/insurance/policy (33%), followed by diet/nutrition (13%), infectious disease (10%), and general prevention (9%). Just over one-quarter of health-related articles included useful information. Differences across newspaper types existed: independent newspapers reported more on health-related events compared with chain newspapers, and both ethnic-targeted newspapers and independently-published papers were more likely to include useful information compared with chain newspapers. While this region suffers from high rates of obesity and diabetes, there were relatively few articles on obesity and diabetes themselves, or linking behavioral risk factors with these conditions. One area we found absent from coverage pertained to the numerous environmental health threats prevalent in this heavily polluted, agricultural area (just 40 articles discussed environmental health threats). We also discovered that coverage of social determinants of health was lacking (just 24 of the 570 health articles), which was notable in a region that suffers extreme economic, educational, and health disparities. This analysis of a rural region's local news coverage of health issues demonstrates significant opportunity to engage with rural local media, particularly ethnic media, to disseminate health information. Such a strategy holds considerable promise to advance public health goals using a multilevel approach: From an individual perspective, improving the amount and utility of the information can inform and educate publics in areas with otherwise low levels of health information access. From a policy perspective, improving coverage of the social determinants of health could shape public opinion to support policies that improve health.

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  1. Great Valley Center. (2014). Assessing the region via indicators: The economy (4th ed.). Modesto, CA: Great Valley Center.

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Metadata

Authors
Ramírez, A. S., Estrada, E., & Ruiz, A.
Affiliations
University of California, Merced (US)
Corresponding author
Ramírez, A. Susana
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of Primary Prevention
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2017-02-21
Volume
38
Issue
4
Pages
345-362
ISSN
  • 0278-095X (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6547
DOI
10.1007/s10935-017-0466-7
PMC
PMC5478445
OpenAlex
W2589923179
Cited by
31
References
42
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 5
FWCI
4.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Journal of Primary Prevention (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Hellman Family Foundation
  • National Cancer Institute (K01CA190659)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Media Influence and Health
  • Social Sciences › Health › Public Health and Social Inequalities
Keywords
rural health, media coverage of health, local newspapers, ethnic media, Latino health, social determinants of health, environmental health, health care access, obesity, diabetes mellitus, rural California
MeSH terms
California, Health Education, Humans, Mass Media, Rural Population, Access to Information, Health Information Exchange

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