Publications by authors named "Joann Rodgers"
Objectives: To examine (1) the quality of media reports (newspapers, television and public radio) of genetic discoveries with medical relevance and (2) factors related to the completeness and balance of the stories.
Methods: Analysis of the accuracy, balance, and completeness of 228 media stories reporting 24 genetic discoveries between 1996 and 2000 using a previously validated instrument.
Results: Although usually accurate, the stories contained only 45.
Purpose: To describe the relationship between scientists and science writers and their experiences with media reporting of genetic discoveries.
Methods: This study included individual interviews with 15 scientists who specialize in genetics and 22 science writers who have covered their stories and a qualitative analysis of the data.
Results: Scientists and science writers place an equally high priority on accuracy of media reports.
After the announcement that sequencing of the human genome was nearly complete, media coverage was extensive. In light of ample evidence that the media are a primary source of health and science information, even for health professionals, media portrayals are often inaccurate or misleading, and discoveries that emanate from sequencing the human genome are likely to influence future health care, it is important to assess physicians' interpretations of media coverage about the human genome announcement. This paper describes the reactions of a sample of new physicians in the United States to this announcement, as well as the content of the stories they read or heard.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To assess public reactions to the June 26, 2000, announcement that scientists had nearly finished mapping the human genome.
Methods: We conducted a random-digit telephone survey of 407 Maryland residents as well as a content analysis of 55 relevant media reports.
Results: African Americans were more likely than Caucasians to report a negative reaction (P < 0.