From: Using media to impact health policy-making: an integrative systematic review
Haq 2010 [41] | |
Study setting | Health topic: maternal and newborn health Pakistan |
Population | Target of media intervention: district-level health officials/policymakers |
Characteristics of the media intervention | TV talk show: The aim of the TV talk show was to get on-camera commitments from three keys belonging to district health policy. The show started with a viewing of the documentary after which the host invited discussion by the participants. The discussion started with the panelists providing information on their plans to improve the MNH situation in their area. The host also invited members of the audience to raise their questions and concerns publicly on the show. Date: The program series was aired from April to June 2007. Level: national Type of media: broadcast media (television) Organizer: Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN); a project designed to improve MNH in 10 districts. |
Study design | Qualitative method Data sources: interviews with 20 out of 31 participants |
Outcome | Change in policy behavior/approach |
Vasudevan 2009 [48] | |
Study setting | Health topic: road safety State of NE, US |
Population | Target of media intervention: the public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Media and enforcement campaign: The media and enforcement campaign is part of “Click it or ticket program”. The media campaign consisted of -Paid media (paid television and radio advertisements) -Earned media (ride-along with law enforcement officers, coverage of press event kick offs and upcoming enforcement events, newspaper coverage of enforcement campaign) Date: May 2003, May 2004, and May 2005 Level: state Type of media: broadcast media (television and radio), print media (newspapers) Organizer: the state |
Study design | Quantitative method: before and after design Data sources: -Seat belt usage observations conducted at 50 sites in Nevada |
Outcome | Seat belt usage rates |
Rehnman 2005 [47] | |
Study setting | Health topic: alcohol control Norrmalm (inner-city area), Stockholm, Sweden |
Population | Target of media intervention: the public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Beer campaign: Media intervention was part of a multi-component intervention named “The beer campaign” that consisted of a series of activities involving information/training, media advocacy, and monitoring. In 1998, The intervention also included meetings with merchants, sending post card to parents, training of staff, and media advocacy. In 1999, a follow-up study indicated no improvements, which was followed by a renewed intervention, with added components: merchants received individual feedback on sales in their shops, and they committed themselves to buy back the beer that was sold to the students in the study. The media advocacy consisted of presenting the baseline purchase study and follow-up study a year later at press conferences. The results were presented in several newspapers, local radio, and television. Contacts were maintained with both local and national media during the following year. Date: 2 years (1998–2000) Level: county Type of media: broadcast media (television and radio), print media (newspapers) Organizer: The STAD Project (Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems) |
Study design | Quantitative method: controlled before and after design Data sources: -Purchase studies (controlled before and after design) |
Outcome | Successful beer purchase attempt |
Sivaneswaran 2011 [46] | |
Study setting | Health topic: water fluoridation/dental hygiene New South Wales towns, Australia |
Population | Target of media intervention: the public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Community education program: Community education program including the organization of a public forum and the use of media. The use of media involved Fluoridation information kits prepared by the NSW Health Department containing relevant information on water fluoridation were also provided to the local media, Council offices as well as to those present at the public forums. In addition, a significant amount of information on water fluoridation was also provided to the community via the local newspapers, radio and television. Early during the campaign, NSW Health Department representatives met with the editor of the Mudgee Guardian to ensure balanced and impartial reporting of articles or editorial letters relating to water fluoridation and the editor was also invited to the forum. Date: February 2005 Level: province Type of media: broadcast media (television and radio), print media (newspapers) Organizer: state (Mid-Western Regional Council, NSW Health Department) |
Study design | Quantitative design Data sources: -Surveys completed from telephone interviews -Surveys completed from face-to-face interviews |
Outcome | - Support of the water fluoridation measure and adoption of fluoridation policy |
Leurer 2013 [50] | |
Study setting | Health topic: nursing education Saskatchewan, Canada |
Population | Target of media intervention: Government/policymakers at the government level and the public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Media advocacy: Nursing stakeholders quickly reacted to the “January 21st” policy announcement by using media advocacy to convey messages designed to exert pressure on the government to reconsider the new policy. Media advocacy including -Framing and releasing of news releases, letters to the editor, press releases -Wide press coverage of nursing students protests -Media interviews Date: 3-month period following January 21, 2000 Level: province Type of media: print media Organizer: nursing stakeholders |
Study design | Qualitative media analysis: Data sources: - The print media sources included articles, editorials, and letters to the editor from The Leader-Post, the daily newspaper in Saskatchewan’s provincial capital Regina. |
Outcome | - Change in government policy |
Harwood 2005 [44] | |
Study setting | Health topic: Alcohol control State of LA, USA |
Population | Target of media intervention: policymakers and the general public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Media advocacy was an integral component of the coalitions’ work as they sought to affect public and legislative awareness and opinions about underage drinking issues. Some examples include solicited media coverage of rallies at the state capital, community information meetings, youth-lead community activities, and media interviews with coalition members for feature stories on underage drinking. Date: 1997–2004 Level: state Type of media: print media (newspapers) Organizer: coalitions by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to reduce underage drinking |
Study design | Quantitative design Data sources: - Media data - Legislative data |
Outcome | - Passage of alcohol bills |
Gardner 2010 [42] | |
Study setting | Health topic: Access to health care State of CA, USA |
Population | Target of media intervention: policymakers and the general public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Media advocacy activities including a combination of strategies: -launching websites -creating videos (some videos described the role of primary care clinics in specific regions of the state that were distributed to television stations and other venues) -developing articles and letters to the editors for local and statewide newspapers -working with local radio and television outlets -television and radio interviews -developing member clinic capacity to conduct media outreach Date: the fund started in 2001 for 3 years and was renewed in 2004 and 2007 Level: state Type of media: print media (newspaper, brochures, newsletters), broadcast media (television, radio, video), electronic media (websites) Organizer: Clinics Consortia |
Study design | Quantitative and qualitative method Data sources: -Annual Policy Advocacy Activities Worksheet -Annual Grantee Interviews -Policy Maker and Community Leader Awareness Survey -Media Representative and Consultant Interviews |
Outcome | Effectiveness of media advocacy activities (increasing policymakers awareness, achieving a policy change or increased funding to clinics) |
Gowda 2008 [43] | |
Study setting | Health topic: water fluoridation Northland, New Zealand |
Population | Target of media intervention: the general public and policymakers |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Fluoridation advocacy program including policy advocacy, community action projects and media advocacy. Media advocacy included proactive and reactive media releases in local newspapers, letters to the editors of various communities and local newspapers. Other channels used were the provision of information on the District Health Boards (DHB) websites, participation in newspapers and radio interviews (e.g., talkback shows on the radio) and information through school newsletters. Positive messages were released to the media from Northland DHB and a network of supporters was established to respond to any letters or other initiatives from opponents of community water fluoridation. The timing of the positive publicity and reopening of the fluoridation issue was important in gaining support from other health professionals, Māori health providers, PHOs and the community. Date: 2005 Level: district Type of media: print media (newspapers), broadcast media (radio), electronic media (District Health Boards websites) Organizer: Northland District Health Board |
Study design | Quantitative and qualitative methods (process evaluation) Data sources: -Written documents -Field notes from direct observation and participation - -Outcomes of community surveys |
Outcome | - Support of the water fluoridation measure and adoption of fluoridation policy |
Niederdeppe 2007 [45] | |
Study setting | Health topic: Tobacco control State of FL, USA |
Population | Target of media intervention: policymakers and the general public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | The Florida Tobacco Control Program’s (FTCP) media advocacy strategy, a secondary program component, involved sending press releases and working with reporters to promote FTCP programs, media training for local SWAT leaders and promoting media events coordinated with local SWAT activities. Date: FTCP was launched in 1998 Level: state Type of media: print media and Broadcast media Organizer: Florida Tobacco Control Program (FTCP) |
Study design | Quantitative design (event history analysis) Data sources: -Content analysis of news coverage -Surveys |
Outcome | - Passage of tobacco product placement ordinances |
Rock 2011 [49] | |
Study setting | Health topic: food insecurity Canada |
Population | Target of media intervention: policymakers and the general public |
Characteristics of the media intervention | Media advocacy: The media intervention conveyed the message that food insecurity is a serious population health problem. The media intervention was implemented in an effort to increase public awareness about the negative effects of poverty on health in conjunction with the publication of a study comparing the perspectives of food-insecure and food-secure Canadians. The intervention included -News conference -Communication with journalists -Video news release (VNR) and DVDs -Media release Date: 2008 Level: national Type of media: print media, broadcast media and electronic media Organizer: University of Calgary |
Study design | Qualitative design (content analysis) Data sources: -Media stories (to track media coverage) -Emails (to track reactions from government representatives and social service providers) -Hansard (the traditional name of the transcripts of Parliamentary Debates) -Telephone and face-to-face communication |
Outcome | - Reactions of policymakers to media coverage |