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Scientists

HPV Vaccination Coverage on US National Television News 2002-2007

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Between 2002 and 2007, researchers studied the content of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related vaccination information presented during nightly national television news broadcasts in the United States. The study found a total of 27 HPV-related vaccination news broadcasts aired during this 6-year period, with most broadcasts lasting an average of nearly 2 minutes. The majority of news stories (66.7%) were directly related to 5 seminal events surrounding the development, efficacy, and controversy regarding HPV vaccination. The National Broadcasting Company and Columbia Broadcasting Company aired the most news stories during this time period.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 27 HPV-related vaccination news broadcasts aired on 5 major US television networks from 2002 to 2007.
  • News broadcasts ranged from 10 to 250 seconds, lasting an average of close to 2 minutes (mean SD, 127.0 +/- 66.1 seconds).
  • Most broadcasts presented information on HPV and cervical cancer, vaccine labeling, impact of the vaccine, and raised issues or concerns about the vaccine.
  • More than half (66.7%) of news broadcasts were directly related to 5 seminal events surrounding the development, efficacy, and controversy regarding HPV vaccination.
  • All 5 networks (American Broadcasting Company, Columbia Broadcasting Company, National Broadcasting Company, Cable News Network, and Fox Broadcasting Company) included within the Vanderbilt Television News Archive aired HPV vaccination content.
  • The National Broadcasting Company and Columbia Broadcasting Company broadcast the most news stories during this time period.

Statistics:

  • Total number of HPV-related vaccination news broadcasts: 27
  • Mean length of news broadcasts: 127.0 seconds (2 minutes)
  • Standard deviation of news broadcast length: 66.1 seconds
  • Percentage of news broadcasts directly related to 5 seminal events: 66.7%

Sources:

  • Wallace, L. S., Keating, K., & Caldwell, C. M. (2009). Hear All About It: Nightly Television News Coverage of Cervical Cancer Vaccination in the United States. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, 13(3), 154-158.
  • Vanderbilt Television News Archive, University of Tennessee, Medical Department, Knoxville, TN, USA.

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