Abstract
This study examined consumers' perceptions about health information in the mass media, specifically local television news and news web sites. Seventeen women and fifteen men participated in interviews or focus groups. Recurrent themes within and across groups were examined. Consumers' understanding of online health news was assessed using modified Cloze tests and the Shortened Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). Findings revealed that participants perceived that the media sensationalized traditional and online health news, although they often relied on the news media for information. Participants demonstrated adequate comprehension of health news as evidenced by Cloze and S-TOFHLA scores.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the University of South Carolina Magellan Scholar Program (PI: Van Slooten). We acknowledge all study participants.