Gourt > Health > Public Health and Safety > News and Media (1)
Mass media is a term used to denote, as a class, that section of the media specifically conceived and designed to reach a very large audience (typically at least as large as the whole population of a nation state). It was coined in the 1920s with the advent of nationwide radio networks and of mass-circulation newspapers and magazines. The mass-media audience has been viewed by some commentators as forming a mass society with special characteristics, notably atomization or lack of social connections, which render it especially susceptible to the influence of modern mass-media techniques such as advertising and propaganda. It is also gaining popularity in the blogosphere when referring to the mainstream media.
Etymology and usage
Media (the plural of medium) is a truncation of the term media of communication, referring to those organized means of dissemination of fact, opinion, entertainment, and other information, such as newspapers, magazines, cinema films, radio, television, the World Wide Web, billboards, books, CDs, DVDs, videocassettes, computer games and other forms of publishing. Although writers currently differ in their preference for using media in the singular ("the media is...") or the plural ("the media are..."), the former will still incur criticism in some situations. (Please see data for a similar example.) Academic programs for the study of mass media are usually referred to as mass communication programs. An individual corporation within the mass media is referred to as a Media Institution.
The term "mass media" is mainly used by academics and media-professionals. When members of the general public refer to "the media" they are usually referring to the mass media, or to the news media, which is a section of the mass media.
More on [ Mass media ]
Healthcare News and Media Publications
Health Journals
Expanding the value of qualitative theories of illness experience in clinical practice: a grounded theory of secondary heart disease prevention
Ononeze, V., Murphy, A.W., MacFarlane, A., Byrne, M., Bradley, C. Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Qualitative theories of illness experience are about the individual interpretations of the psychosocial and cultural aspects of living with illness. Thus, they contribute to a better understanding of health and health care provision. In this paper, we examine how a grounded theory (GT) of heart disease experience can inform secondary prevention. In-depth interviews of individual experience of heart disease were conducted with 26 patients, using GT iterative data collection and analysis framework. A GT was compiled from data and examined within a sociocultural framework to ascertain how experience influenced health behaviour. Despite individual contextual variations, the theory of ‘keeping it going’ describes the study sample’s common attitude to living with heart disease. The theory was adequate in explaining secondary cardiac behaviour, because it identified the aspects of patients’ beliefs and attitudes which are key to effective secondary prevention. The assessment of the impact of illness experience on health behaviour within a sociocultural framework helped to articulate the strong influence of social and contextual factors. The study offers an appropriate explanatory framework for encouraging health behaviour change. It emphasizes the importance of interventions being relevant to individual perceptions and interpretations. It provides a framework for designing and evaluating cardiac interventions and the theoretical principles which underpin them.
Effects of episodic variations in web-based avian influenza education: influence of fear and humor on perception, comprehension, retention and behavior
Kim, P., Sorcar, P., Um, S., Chung, H., Lee, Y. S. Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0000
In order to provide empirical evidence on the role of a web-based avian influenza (AI) education program for mass communication and also ultimately help young children learn and develop healthy behaviors against AI and all types of influenza, an education program with two episodic variations (i.e. fear and humor) has been developed and examined with 183 fifth-grade elementary students. A quasi-experimental design was employed to find potential differential effects on the context-specific risk perception, AI knowledge acquisition, retention and behavior. The study results reveal that the fear appealed AI web-based education program was much more effective than the humor-based program in improving risk perception and educating the students about healthy behaviors (i.e. against influenza infection). However, a significant behavior change or improvement of health practices was not apparent on the post-tests (i.e. 1 month after the treatment) in either episode of the program.
Developing the IDEFICS community-based intervention program to enhance eating behaviors in 2- to 8-year-old children: findings from focus groups with children and parents
Haerens, L., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Barba, G., Eiben, G., Fernandez, J., Hebestreit, A., Kovacs, E., Lasn, H., Regber, S., Shiakou, M., De Henauw, S., on behalf of the IDEFICS consortium Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0000
One purpose of ‘identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants’ (IDEFICS) is to implement a standardized community-based multi-component healthy eating intervention for younger children in eight different countries. The present study describes important influencing factors for dietary behaviors among children aged 2–8 years old in order to determine the best approaches for developing the dietary components of the standardized intervention. Twenty focus groups with children (74 boys, 81 girls) and 36 focus groups with 189 parents (28 men, 161 women) were conducted. Only in two countries, children mentioned receiving nutrition education at school. Rules at home and at school ranged from not allowing the consumption of unhealthy products to allowing everything. The same diversity was found for availability of (un)healthy products at home and school. Parents mentioned personal (lack of time, financial constraints, preferences), socio-environmental (family, peer influences), institutional (school policies) and physical–environmental (availability of unhealthy products, price, season) barriers for healthy eating. This focus group research provided valuable information to guide the first phase in the IDEFICS intervention development. There was a large variability in findings within countries. Interventions should be tailored at the personal and environmental level to increase the likelihood of behavioral change.
Public Health News Headlines from Johns Hopkins
Sightseeing Helicopter Crashes in Hawaii Decrease Following FAA Regulations
paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0400
An emergency rule intended to reduce the number of deaths and injuries associated with Hawaiian air tours was followed by a 47 percent reduction in sightseeing crashes, according to a new study by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy.
Cost-Effective Measures Could Stop Child Pneumonia Deaths
paffairs@jhsph.edu (Office of Communications) Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:30:00 -0400
Implementing measures to improve nutrition, indoor air pollution, immunization coverage and the management of pneumonia cases could be cost-effective and significantly reduce child mortality from pneumonia, according to a study led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Researchers found that these strategies combined could reduce total child mortality by 17 percent and could reduce pneumonia deaths by more than 90 percent.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Awards Dean's Medal to David Oshinsky
(Office of Communications) Wed, 20 May 2009 16:00:00 -0400
Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, has awarded the Dean's Medal—the School's highest honor—to historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Oshinsky. The Dean's Medal recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of public health. Oshinsky was presented with the Dean's Medal on May 20 at the Bloomberg School of Public Health's convocation ceremony in Baltimore, Md. He also presented the convocation keynote address.
American Public Health Association - A large collection of public health books and other media available for purchase.
AVMA Public Health Index - Publications and links from the American Veterinary Medical Association on Mad Cow Disease, psittacosis, rabies and other human/animal interaction topics.
County Health - By and for county public health workers to share and compare reports of their work in their communities. National and International links and downloadable reports. [Flash intensive]
Meta Description: [ County public health workers sharing reports and experiences about communities ]
CyberSpace: Online Information about Quality and Safety in Health Care - Overview of cultural factors affecting safer health care, efforts to improve patient-provider communication, and lessons from non-medical research disciplines. Contains links to resources to help patients, practitioners, and policymakers improve quality and safety in health care.
Epi Info - A series of microcomputer programs for word processing, data management and epidemiologic analysis, designed for public health professionals.
Meta Description: [ Division of Public Health Surveillance and Informatics ]
Gryphon Productions Ltd - Documentary video and film productions on a variety of subjects, including aboriginal communities, organizations, government, schools and hospitals.
Meta Description: [ A Canadian Award winning Documentary film maker. A catalogue of Award winning culturally sensitive videos for Native communities . It also outlines the Company and it's several achievements,also showing other Documentaries on a variety of subjects,Aboriginals,First Nations,Healing,American India... ]
HC Information Resources Inc. - Electronic publications on Legionella control, Legionnaires' disease, news, free articles, books and reports.
Meta Description: [ Legionnaires' disease, Legionella control, water microbes, bacteria control. FAQ, electronic publications, outbreaks, free articles, links. Get free information, send questions to experts. Download electronic documents. Buy books and reports. ]
Health Education Research - Deals with all the vital issues involved in health education and promotion worldwide.
Health Education Research - News feed of current issue.
HealthierUS.Gov - Provides credible, accurate information to help Americans choose to live healthier lives.
Healthlink Worldwide - Partners with organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to disseminate information on health and development. Publications include newsletters, resource lists, training materials and booklets.
Meta Description: [ Healthlink Worldwide works to improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in developing countries. We aim to held communities voice their own health needs and priorities and to ensure that voice is heard. ]
IDS - International - Provides healthcare information through doctors' waiting rooms and pharmacies. Services include independent market research and development of patient education materials.
Meta Description: [ IDS International. Healthcare Marketing. Your direct contact with patients. ]
Institute for Healthcare Improvement - Offers a wide range of resources and teaching tools to help health care professionals lead effective improvement efforts, enhance clinical outcomes, and reduce costs. Contains information on research, online discussion groups, publications, and links to other sites.
Meta Description: [ IHI.org is the website of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and a global knowledge environment created to help health care professionals around the world accelerate their progress toward unprecedented levels of performance and improvement. ]
Johns Hopkins Public Health News Center - Features news releases and other information from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; site includes links to current public health news information from a variety of sources.
Meta Description: [ Public Health News, Health Research, Health News, Johns Hopkins, Bloomberg, Public Health, news center ]
Just Ask Our Doctors - Medical reference and referral web site; resources include medical statistics, medical malpractice facts, descriptions of medical conditions, and links to additional healthcare sites.
Meta Description: [ Top rated Louisiana trial attorneys and staff of medical experts provide valuable information needed when you or someone you love has undergone a vascular workup. , ]
Keenan Group - Offers health literacy consulting, writing, health initiatives and campaigns, and presentation to improve communications between health professionals, patients, and families. Emphasizes effective, easy-to-read, culturally appropriate materials.
Meta Description: [ Communications specialists -- designing complete health initiatives and materials for audiences with limited health literacy skills ]
Legionella Risk Management - Links to guidelines for control of legionella in water systems. Site includes listing of independent consulting services for control, training and remediation of legionella.
Meta Description: [ Legionella Risk Management provides consulting engineering services for potable and process water systems in commercial, institutional and industrial applications. We focus on control of water borne pathogens including legionella. ]
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Manual of Naval Preventive Medicine - A manual of naval preventive medicine concerning food sanitation, water sanitation, pest control and other public health concerns. (NAVIVIED P-5010)
Meta Description: [ A digital library of naval medicine and military medicine and humanitarian medicine ]
Medical College of Wisconsin Healthlink - Presents up-to-date information on patient care and medical research completed by the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Meta Description: [ Medical College Physicians -- Southeastern Wisconsin's academic health care providers ]
National Association for Healthcare Quality - Promotes the continuous improvement of quality in healthcare by providing educational and development opportunities for professionals at all management levels and within all healthcare settings. Includes on-line articles from the Journal for Healthcare Quality, position papers, and information on state associations.
NSW Health - Public Health Bulletin - Bimonthly publication of the New South Wales Department of Health covering public health topics. Current and back issues are online.
PoisonProducts.org - Health safety news covering the chemicals found in consumer products and personal care products; all content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and intended for educational purposes.
Positive Populations - Positive Populations is known for its coverage of Correctional and Public Health issues. The website features a fully searchable newsletter archive and forum.
Meta Description: [ Examining Infectious Disease Policies And Program Management Within Public Health ]
Thomson Micromedex - Electronic and printed information for professionals and consumers in healthcare and industry. Databases on pharmacology, toxicology, acute care, patient education, occupational medicine, alternative medicine, chemical hazardous materials management, environmental safety, and regulatory compliance.
Meta Description: [ Thomson Micromedex is the premier clinical solutions provider helping to improve patient outcomes, enhance medication safety, and streamline disease management. Micromedex also meets the specific needs of professionals in environmental health & safety, chemical management, managed care, and educ... ]
World Health News - Weekly news digest covering stories on public health issues from around the world. Published by the Center for Health Communication of the Harvard School of Public Health.
Meta Description: [ Harvard World Health News is an online news digest offering a combination of original reporting and links to news stories and commentaries from newspapers and magazines worldwide on pressing issues in public health. World Health News is published by the Center for Health Communication of the Harv... ]
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