RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN MAGAZINE COVERAGE OF MAMMOGRAPHY
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Date
2008-05-21T19:47:45Z
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
This study examined messages regarding mammography in mass circulation African-
American and European-American women’s magazines. There were significant
differences in the content of African-American and European-American magazines.
African-American magazines had a higher grade level, more difficult readability, and
more passive sentences. Further, the African-American magazines contained more
references to religiosity, activity, positive and negative emotions, risk factors, and racial
references than their European-American counterparts. It can be proposed that African-
American women view mammography, and perhaps many other health issues, from a
weltanschauung of deep emotions, strong religious beliefs, and an abiding faith in their
special status in the world --- that their survival from cancer rests in God’s hands. These
findings have important implications for communicating information regarding
mammography to African-American women.