Collaborative on Media & Messaging for Health and Social Policy

News media coverage of the U.S. social safety net: themes and gaps from a scoping review - BMC Public Health Background The social safety net, the set of policies and programs designed to improve the quality of life of individuals facing periodic or persistent financial hardship, is critical to improving population health. Despite strong evidence of its importance, policy investments in the social safety net in the United States continue to face political obstacles. One important contributor to the political dynamics of issues is public opinion, which can be shaped – for better or worse – by the news media. By reporting on, interpreting, and contextualizing policy issues, the news media play a key role in shaping public understanding of social issues. Eligibility criteria In this scoping review, we summarize cross-disciplinary literature that examined news media coverage of social safety net issues (N = 40 studies). Results We find that news coverage often focuses on individual stories and infrequently connects to broader, systemic issues, missing the opportunity to garner public support for the social safety net. Across studies, authors seldom note the implications of their work for journalistic practice nor for health equity. Conclusions Future work should examine how population health research evidence can be shared with journalists and news producers for more comprehensive media attention to the safety net within the context of the constraints news producers face.

The authors also note that there is a missed opportunity for journalists to incorporate population health evidence and structural perspectives into coverage of these topics to improve public understanding. 🛟

Full publication: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

New study by @sarahgollust.bsky.social et al. in BMC:

US news frames the social safety net around individual stories and political conflict, systemic causes or health equity implications which may undermine public support for these policies.

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📩 Read the full edition here: mailchi.mp/a51c3ca2dd30...

📰 Our September newsletter is here!

This edition highlights recent studies & publications that discuss how to change the public health narrative, the real-world impact of framing immigration as a "crisis," and a critical look at what federal COVID-19 vaccine communication missed and more.

Read the blog post here: commhsp.org/federal-comm...
Read the full study in Preventive Medicine Reports: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Margaret's Key Takeaway: The federal government missed a critical opportunity to build public trust and encourage COVID-19 vaccination by failing to use its federally-sponsored PSA campaigns to proactively and effectively communicate about the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and availability.

What can the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine PSAs teach us about public health communication? In our newest COMM blog post, first author Margaret Tait breaks down her recently published research on the critical messaging missteps in federally-sponsored PSAs.

Thanks @jenniferngandu.bsky.social!

What gives me hope is @commhsp.bsky.social's tips for communicating effectively about health disparities. It start with looking at what communities bring to the table. commhsp.org/tips-for-com...

What brings you hope @joanalker1.bsky.social?

@bigcitieshealth.org Just released their updated Overdose Prevention Messaging Playbook!

It features new evidence-based guidance on communicating about harm reduction, backed by new public opinion research.

Join their webinar on Sept. 10 to learn more.
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

This paper, led by my former PhD advisee @margarettait.bsky.social, offers important insights into the limitations of the federal PSA campaign for COVID-19 vaccination way back in 2021. I know hindsight is 20/20, but wow, there were some missed opportunities in this mass communication campaign.

Was health skepticism accounted for in communication about the COVID-19 vaccine? A content analysis of federally-sponsored public service announcements about the vaccine to protect against COVID-19 in... To examine the content of public service announcements (PSAs) sponsored by the United States federal government to promote the COVID-19 vaccine and re…

3️⃣ Lack of diverse messengers: Health professionals dominated (29.4%) as spokesperson, while community voices were rare.

With health skepticism rising, this study underscores the urgent need for PSAs to confront doubts head-on.

Read the paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

1️⃣ Skepticism overlooked in PSAs: Only 25.4% of federally sponsored ads mentioned vaccine safety or efficacy—critical information to address public distrust.

2️⃣ Weak calls to action: Just 17.1% explicitly urged vaccination.

🔍 Did COVID-19 Vaccine PSAs Address Public Skepticism? New Publication Reveals Critical Gaps.

Key findings from research by @margarettait.bsky.social & team:

If public health is about protecting all communities, why are so many still left behind?

@commhsp.bsky.social’s new report offers insights for journalists, advocates, and leaders about why and how to frame issues like #StructuralRacism and #HealthInequity to drive change.
bsky.app/profile/comm...

Links to suggested tools:

Slide 2: commhsp.org/tips-for-com...
Slide 3: www.bmsg.org/who-counts-a...
Slide 5: ( @frameworks.bsky.social) www.frameworksinstitute.org/resources/co...

You can find a research brief of this study here: commhsp.org/strategies-a...

Strategies for and Barriers to Communicating About Health Equity in Challenging Times: Qualitative Interviews with Public Health Communicators | Milbank Quarterly Public health communicators often discuss health equity–related concepts, but it is not clear what strategies they use or what resources can support them to overcome challenges they face.

Read more from the original study here: www.milbank.org/quarterly/ar...

Reporting about health equity is harder than ever—but what if the framing itself is part of the problem? Our new study (linked below) reveals why journalists struggle with these stories and how to reframe them effectively.

Swipe through for actionable strategies to improve health equity stories.

🚨 New from COMM: How can we communicate about health equity more effectively in today’s polarized world? Our latest research brief reveals key insights from public health leaders, journalists, and advocates—plus actionable strategies to drive change.

📖 Read & share: mailchi.mp/c853fe7de617...

The study reveals how policy declarations can spark—but often struggle to sustain—media attention on structural racism. Read the insights: commhsp.org/racism-as-a-...

As we reflect on Juneteenth's significance in America's racial justice journey, we're sharing key findings in our new research brief summarizing our recent publication, "Racism as a Public Health Crisis: How Declarations Shape Local TV News Attention to Racism."

As always, a joy to work with @povertyscholar.bsky.social and the rest of the @commhsp.bsky.social on this survey. You can find our data tables at: commhsp.org/april-2025-p...

Jamila Michener (@povertyscholar.bsky.social) and Sarah Gollust's (@sarahgollust.bsky.social) new opinion piece in Milbank argues that the Medicaid cuts being debated by Congress are undemocratic. Across the political spectrum, Americans support Medicaid—and they would act to protect the program.

Stay updated with our latest research, blog posts, publications, and big announcements.

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This edition features a new research brief on how framing the causes of racial health disparities as systemic—not just citing disparities statistics—increases public support for equity policies without backlash, while strengthening advocacy among Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities.

🌞 Summer’s here—and so is our May newsletter!

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The research reveals both the power and limitations of these policy declarations. Read the full paper below!

Research study: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

1. Local declarations were associated with increased TV news coverage of racism (especially short-term)
2. Declarations were less likely to be passed in communities with higher uninsured rates & Black populations
3. News coverage of racism varied significantly by region and community demographics

Our member Natalia de Paula Moreira (@nataliapmoreira.bsky.social) and team just published an important study on declarations of racism as a public health crisis. Key findings: