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Review
. 2017 Jun 1;57(3):487-500.
doi: 10.1093/geront/gnv684.

Media Portrayal of the Nursing Homes Sector: A Longitudinal Analysis of 51 U.S. Newspapers

Edward Alan Miller  1   2   3   4 , Ian Livingstone  1 , Corina R Ronneberg  1
Affiliations
Review

Media Portrayal of the Nursing Homes Sector: A Longitudinal Analysis of 51 U.S. Newspapers

Edward Alan Miller et al. Gerontologist. .

Abstract

Purpose: Most Americans' low opinion of the nursing home (NH) sector could derive, in part, from the way in which it is portrayed in the media. This study furthers understanding of media portrayal of the NH sector by identifying how NHs were depicted in 51U.S. newspapers from 1999 to 2008.

Design and methods: Keyword searches of the LexisNexis database were performed to identify 16,280 NH-related articles. Article content was analyzed, and tone, themes, prominence, and central actor were assessed. Basic frequencies and descriptive statistics were used to examine article content across regions, market type, and over time.

Results: Findings reveal considerably less NH coverage in the Western United States and a steady decline in NH coverage nationally over time. Most articles were news stories; more than one third were located on the front page of the newspaper or section. Most articles focused on NH industry and government interests, very few on residents/family and community concerns. Most articles were neutral or negative in tone; very few were positive or mixed. Common themes included quality, financing, and legal concerns. Tone, themes, and other article attributes varied across region, market type, and over time.

Implications: Overall, findings reveal changes in how newspapers framed NH coverage, not only with respect to tone but also with respect to what dimensions of this complex issue have been emphasized during the time period analyzed. Variation in media coverage may contribute to differences in government and public views toward the NH sector across regions and over time.

Keywords: Agenda setting; Content analysis; Long-term care; Nursing facilities.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Annual volume and tone of nursing home coverage.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Proportion of nursing home articles per year by major theme and tone of coverage.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Proportion of nursing home articles per year: central actor and issue jurisdiction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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