Diabetes Mellitus in the printed media: an analysis of the articles in the newspapers of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

This is a quantitative study, aiming to analyze, based on the theoretical reference of the Institutional Analysis, the reports on diabetes mellitus in the printed media of Espírito Santo, Brazil. From the search of two newspapers with the largest circulation in the state, namely, A Gazeta and A Tribuna, 129 issues related to the subject were identified between 2014 and 2016.
It was observed, among other aspects, predominance of subjects in odd pages (51.2%), use of photographs (48.1%), informational gender (78.3%), omission of the Unified Health System ) and approach on secondary prevention of the disease (60.5%). It was noticed great importance for matters related to the new technologies in health, advertising tones and lifestyle configured as healthy. Thus, the study points out that the print media has an important role in the dissemination of information about diabetes mellitus, however, the relationship between health and communication in the state of Espírito Santo deserves to be reviewed in relation to this disease, since it is observed in the media an emphasis on new technologies, often at the service of business interests, and a gap in what concerns the valorization of the Unified Health System.