Do Americans need to worry about the Ebola Virus? Dr. Christopher McKinley, School of Communication and Media program coordinator for the school\u2019s health communication concentration, has been following the government\u2019s flailing effort to communicate with the American public, and he has some thoughts on the issue. \u201cThere could have been a more concerted effort to be proactive in reaching out to the public prior to the situation in Dallas. While many did not expect the nurses to contract Ebola, officials could have allayed some of the panic that ensued by communicating clear guidelines about the risk to the population. In addition, although I have not researched the crisis communication strategy employed by the government during this episode, I would hope they considered utilizing multiple communication channels to reach all the citizens, whether it\u2019s text messaging, social media, traditional media, every means available.\u201d<\/p>\n
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McKinley also takes the opportunity to weigh in on the news coverage of the Ebola issue.\u00a0 \u201cI will say that certain sources, CNN, for example, seemed to take advantage of the situation to exacerbate the crisis. The \u2018Ebola in America\u2019 banner that was used in their countless segments framed the issue as a widespread epidemic in the country, when in reality, the chances of any average American contracting the virus are quite slim.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, not all of McKinley\u2019s commentary on health related issues has the gravitas of the Ebola story. Take \u201cThe Big Bang Theory\u201d for example.\u00a0 The professor waxes eloquent on the character of Sheldon.\u00a0 Does he or doesn\u2019t he have Asperger Syndrome?\u00a0 It\u2019s the question on everyone\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n
McKinley urges caution. \u201cI think what we are dealing with here is manifest content versus implicit content.\u00a0 A lot of people may think he has Asperger\u2019s – but it was never explicitly stated.\u00a0 They would get kudos from people if it were portrayed accurately \u2013 so why wouldn\u2019t they say it?\u201d<\/p>\n
The entertainment media, especially, can have a big impact on removing the stigma associated with mental illness.\u00a0 McKinley says, \u201cHistorically, the media have done a poor job of portraying mental illness.\u00a0 They tend to perpetuate negative stereotypes. Crime shows, in particular, often show people with mental illness being violent or threatening in some way.\u201d Dr. McKinley points out the fact that Claire Danes character, Carrie Mathison, on \u201cHomeland\u201d is bipolar. \u201cHow viewers connect with her can play a significant role in how they view themselves and whether or not they get treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHealth communication is a social science,\u201d says Dr. McKinley. \u201cWe have to be very careful; objectivity is the key.\u00a0 If it\u2019s not objective, then we just have a variety of different people\u2019s perceptions.\u201d<\/p>\n
These are just a few of the many interesting topics Dr. Christopher McKinley is happy to discuss when asked about the field that is his passion: Health Communication. \u201cHealth is a very broad area, even though it is often viewed more narrowly when compared with areas like media or interpersonal communication,\u201d says Dr. McKinley. \u201cBut the truth is that health can cut across all other disciplines. That\u2019s what I like about it.\u00a0 It\u2019s an area where you can really see the impact that messages have on an issue that everyone has to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n
One study that affirms McKinley\u2019s argument about the importance of appropriate messaging is the relationship between news coverage, presidential rhetoric, and public support for health care reform. Working with a journalism professor, the two analyzed newspaper articles from major news outlets from the time President Obama first introduced the legislation to the time it was passed \u2013 nearly a year.\u00a0 \u201cIt was interesting to see how different articles framed the topic,\u201d said McKinley.\u00a0 \u201cThe media coverage fluctuated quite a bit during this time period.\u00a0 Initially, coverage was positive, and then it took a dip to a more negative tone.\u00a0 At the end, it came up a little but remained most positive at the beginning.\u00a0 What we found, though, was that the media actually had only a minimal effect on people\u2019s opinions of the Health Care Reform Act.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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