Analyzing Media Coverage of the Global Fund Diseases Compared with Lower Funded Diseases (Childhood Pneumonia, Diarrhea and Measles)

Authors: David L. Hudacek, Shyama Kuruvilla, Nora Kim, Katherine Semrau, Donald Thea, Shamim Qazi, Andrew Pleasant, James Shanahan

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020438

Abstract Summary

Study reveals stark media disparity: AIDS, TB, and malaria received 1.3M news articles vs. 292K for pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles (1981-2008), despite pediatric diseases causing more child deaths. Higher-funded diseases used human rights framing (61.5%) and awareness-raising (46.2%), while pediatric diseases relied on moral appeals, suggesting media coverage patterns may influence funding priorities.

Why Brain? 🧠

Study reveals childhood pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles receive far less media coverage than AIDS, TB, and malaria despite causing more child deaths, potentially explaining funding disparities.

License: CC BY.

The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.