Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jan 2017)

Media Messages and Perception of Risk for Ebola Virus Infection, United States

  • Tara Kirk Sell,
  • Crystal Boddie,
  • Emma E. McGinty,
  • Keshia Pollack,
  • Katherine Clegg Smith,
  • Thomas A. Burke,
  • Lainie Rutkow

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2301.160589
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 108 – 111

Abstract

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News media have been blamed for sensationalizing Ebola in the United States, causing unnecessary alarm. To investigate this issue, we analyzed US-focused news stories about Ebola virus disease during July 1–November 30, 2014. We found frequent use of risk-elevating messages, which may have contributed to increased public concern.

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