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Media Influences On Health

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The media — everything from television, radio, and film to games, advertising, and social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter — can have significant impacts on individual and population health. Exposure to media, especially among youth, may affect health behaviors such as substance use, sexual activity, and eating habits.

Journal Article

Southern California Middle School Students Exposed to More Than Three Alcohol Ads Each Day

May 17, 2016

African American and Hispanic youths are exposed to an average of 4.1 and 3.4 alcohol ads per day respectively, while white youths are exposed to an average of two ads per day. Greater restrictions on alcohol advertising outdoors and on television should be considered.
Research Brief

Does Watching Sex on Television Influence Teens’ Sexual Activity?

Jan 1, 2004

Two recent studies led by RAND Health behavioral scientist Rebecca Collins examined the impact of TV sex on teenagers’ sexual beliefs and activities.

Explore Media Influences On Health

Journal Article

Showing Adolescents Graphic Anti-Smoking Posters May Encourage Some to Try Smoking

Exposing teens to graphic anti-smoking posters may actually increase the risk that some start smoking. Some teens who viewed a poster depicting gruesome displays of smoking-caused diseases actually reported being more susceptible to cigarette smoking after viewing the displays during a shopping trip.

Feb 13, 2018
Commentary

Does Social Media Depression in Young People Really Exist?

What are the mental health risks to adolescents and young adults from the use of social media? And how can young people and social media companies manage these risks?

Feb 6, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Effects of Antismoking Media on College Students' Smoking-Related Beliefs and Intentions

Among college students, anti-smoking media messages appear to shift the beliefs and intentions of experimental smokers, a group that is at high risk of becoming regular smokers.

Jan 25, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Sexual Media and Childhood Well-being and Health

Incomplete brain development pushes adolescents to engage in risky behaviors and may affect the extent to which sexual media content is sought and acted on.

Dec 18, 2017
Blog

How RAND Helped Cable TV Spread Far and Wide

In the late 1960s and early '70s, RAND released a series of reports about cable television — the technology, federal and state regulation, and its use in education. The researchers' interactive vision for cable TV was a lot like the internet.

Aug 25, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Noncigarette Tobacco Advertising May Be Hazardous to a Teen's Health

Cigarette smoking contributes to nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States and myriad health problems.

Jun 14, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Detecting Changes in Newspaper Reporting of Suicide After a Statewide Social Marketing Campaign

In conclusion and similar to many past evaluations, we find no evidence that the KTS campaign was effective in changing the way in which suicides are reported on in California had any effect.

Apr 4, 2017
Journal Article

Youth Exposure to Online Alcohol Ads

Exposure to online alcohol advertisements is linked to drinking behavior. What factors are associated with youth exposure to these online ads?

Nov 28, 2016
News Release

News Release

Southern California Middle School Students Exposed to More Than Three Alcohol Ads Each Day

African American and Hispanic youths are exposed to an average of 4.1 and 3.4 alcohol ads per day respectively, while white youths are exposed to an average of two ads per day. Greater restrictions on alcohol advertising outdoors and on television should be considered.

May 17, 2016
News Release

News Release

Prop. 63 Suicide Prevention Investment Will Save Lives and Dollars; California Suicide Prevention Programs Have Broad ...

A mass media campaign intended to help prevent suicides in California is reaching a majority of the state's adults and appears to be increasing their confidence about how to intervene with those at risk. In addition, an assessment of a companion suicide prevention program finds that the long-term impact could be the prevention of at least 140 deaths and 3,600 suicide attempts per year over the next three decades.

May 18, 2015
Report

California Suicide Prevention Programs Have Broad Reach and Impact

A mass media campaign intended to help prevent suicides in California is reaching a majority of the state's adults and appears to be increasing their confidence about how to intervene with those at risk. The campaign encourages the public to “Know the Signs” of suicide and directs people to a website to learn more.

May 18, 2015
Commentary

What Works in Early Life to Prevent Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction?

Tobacco and alcohol addiction are widespread public health risks across the European Union. Both merit tackling at a young age. Evidence-based, early interventions are available that can be applied in small-scale settings to prevent underage alcohol and tobacco abuse.

Apr 23, 2015
Commentary

Snuffing Out China's Deadly Habit

To help address China's smoking problem, China's parliament is considering a ban on all tobacco ads except those at point-of-sale retail locations. How does this compare to the current state of play regarding Chinese tobacco ads? And could the new law shift the tobacco-control landscape?

Feb 2, 2015
Report

"Know the Signs" Suicide Prevention Media Campaign Is Aligned with Best Practices and Highly Regarded by Experts

Reports the findings of an evaluation by a panel of experts on the extent to which a suicide prevention media campaign in California is aligned with best practices in the field.

Dec 10, 2014
Journal Article

Journal Article

Media Violence Exposure and Physical Aggression in Fifth-Grade Children

Exposure to media violence is strongly linked to physical aggression among youth 10-11 years old.

Dec 10, 2014
Report

Adults Exposed to "Know the Signs" Are More Confident Intervening with Those At Risk for Suicide

Report evaluates the effects of a California mass media program that aims to prepare more Californians to prevent suicide by encouraging them to know the warning signs, offer support to persons at risk, and reach out to local resources.

May 27, 2014
Commentary

Dutch and UK Adolescents See More Alcohol Advertising on TV Than Adults

Adolescents in the UK and the Netherlands (but not in Germany) see more alcohol adverts on television, per hour of television watched, than adults. These differences result from the different viewing times, channels watched, and the placement of adverts.

May 23, 2014
Commentary

Where There's Vapor, Is There Fire? We Need Evidence on E-Cigarettes

Currently, evidence for the safety, harmfulness, utility, and addictiveness of e-cigarettes is lacking. The questions that research needs to answer, however, are clear as day—particularly since business is booming.

Mar 4, 2014
Blog

CVS and the Effect of In-Store Tobacco Displays on Smokers

CVS Caremark will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its CVS/pharmacy stores beginning Oct. 1. Though it stands to lose $2 billion dollars in annual revenue, CVS CEO Larry J. Merlo said that selling tobacco products is at odds with the company's mission of improving health outcomes.

Feb 6, 2014
Journal Article

Journal Article

Youth Exposure to Alcohol Advertising on Television in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany

Exposure of young people to alcohol advertising is a risk factor for underage drinking. This study assessed youth exposure to television alcohol advertising in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, from December 2010 to May 2011.

Jan 1, 2014

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