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Abstract
This article examines the relationship between television, aging, health, and, to a lesser degree, prevention. It is based upon research conducted as part of Cultural Indicators, a 14 year research project examining trends in television content and viewer conceptions of social reality, The article focuses upon the presentation of older characters and old age in prime time network television drama, with special attention to what these images reveal about aging, health and prevention. The article also examines some viewer conceptions relating to these issues.
This research reveals that older people are a very small segment of the prime time network dramatic television character population. Moreover, characters of all ages, the elderly included, are generally healthy, slim, rarely wear glasses, and seem to eat “on the run.” This research also shows that respondents who watch more television tend to believe that the elderly are a diminishing segment of our population. Those who watch a lot of television are also likely to exhibit views reflecting a general complacency about health and poor nutritional knowledge and behavior.
