Heart disease and gender in mass print media

Abstract

Heart disease is a major cause of death, disease and disability in the developed world for both men and women. Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that women are under-diagnosed both because they fail to visit the doctor with relevant symptoms and because doctors tend to dismiss the seriousness of women's symptoms of heart disease. This study examines the way that popular mass print media present the possible links between gender and heart disease. The findings suggest that the 'usual candidates' for heart disease are considered to be high achieving and active men for whom the 'heart attack' is sometimes seen as a 'badge of honour' and a symbol of their success. In contrast, women are less often seen as likely to succumb, but they are portrayed as if they are and ought to be worried about their husbands. Women's own bodies are described as so problematic as to be perhaps useless to diagnose, because they are so difficult to understand and treat.

A Forgotten Sexuality: Content Analysis of Bisexuality in the Medical Literature over Two Decades

“…However, content analysis examines various texts, such as newspaper or journal articles, rather than individuals as units of analysis (Neuendorf, 2002). Content analysis has been used with great success to better understand how various media outlets represent health information (Clarke, van Amerom, & Binns, 2007;Godbold & Prividera, 2007;Johnson, 2007). Content analysis elucidates the role of the medical literature itself-as a medium portraying the interests, attitudes and philosophies of the medical community.…”

Stigma and Otherness in the Israeli Media’s Mirror Representations of Illness

“…The Israeli press did not simply link heart disease to men, but rather connected it to men who symbolize "correct" masculinity (for similar findings see Clarke, van Amerom, & Binns, 2007, on heart disease in the United States and Canadian press). Only six articles associated heart disease with deviants, namely convicted men; for example: "A 76-year-old grandfather from Northern Israel who was convicted of molesting two of his granddaughters died a few hours after he arrived to the court hearing that delayed his imprisonment because of his medical condition" (Goldberg, 2000 July 24, p. 12).…”

Identity Documents and Gender Identity: Towards Inclusive Practices

“…For example, women are more likely to experience higher mortality rates due to heart attacks than men because they portray different symptoms, which are under-researched and more likely to be missed. Even doctors tend to dismiss the significance of their symptoms (Quinn, 2008, Clarke, 2008. Thus, when in the emergency room, doctors may not know what symptoms to look for without a gender marker on one's ID.…”