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(Stroke. 2006;37:1556.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Research Reports

Stroke Information Reported on Local Television News

A National Perspective

James M. Pribble, MD; Kenneth M. Goldstein, PhD; Jennifer J. Majersik, MD; William G. Barsan, MD; Devin L. Brown, MD Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD

From the Stroke Program (J.M.P., J.J.M., W.G.B., D.L.B., L.B.M.), University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor; Department of Emergency Medicine (J.M.P., W.G.B., L.B.M.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and Departments of Political Science and Communications (K.M.G.), University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Correspondence to James M. Pribble, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, 300 NIB 2D06, Box 0437, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0437. E-mail jpribb{at}umich.edu

Background and Purpose— Local television news commonly reports on health. This study aimed to characterize local TV news stroke reporting in America.

Methods— Content analysis of stroke stories reported on 122 US local television stations. All stroke stories were coded for main focus and discussion of risk factors, stroke signs and symptoms, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, treatment within 3 hours, or recommendation to call 911.

Results— Of the 1799 health stories, only 13 stroke stories aired, and the median story length was 24 seconds (interquartile range 21 to 48). Stroke was the 22nd most common health topic. Few stroke stories discussed useful information about prevention or treatment of stroke.

Conclusion— Stroke stories were nearly nonexistent in our sample, and those reported failed to discuss important messages needed to improve stroke prevention and treatment.

Key Words: cerebrovascular accident • mass media • television

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