Journalistic texts on public health and health management in the newspaper El País, 2001-2016

Abstract

Introduction: the press has acquired a relevant role in health education, knowledge and expectations in society. Objective: to carry out a descriptive analysis of the issues related to public health and health management published in the newspaper El País during 2001-2016. Methods: A documentary study was carried out, with a quantitative approach, selecting documents related to public health and health management, contained in the body of journalistic texts on Medicine and Health of the CONPRE-Oviedo collection. Results: 265 journalistic texts on public health and 365 on health management were identified. Public health was linked to disease prevention and health promotion (30.9%), epidemiology (25.3%), illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco (25.3%). The texts on health management focused on macro-management (61.3%), meso-management (27.9%) and micromanagement (10.7%). The articles were preferably informative, from an institutional source, and mostly included in the Society section. Texts on disease prevention and health promotion were based on scientific publications. Society is the section where they are most frequently published. Conclusion: the newspaper El País has frequently covered topics related to public health and health management, so journalistic texts could contribute to population education and to the generation of a critical attitude towards health.