Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2007
Capstone Advisor
Anne Hettinger
Honors Reader
Melissa Chessher
Capstone Major
Magazine, Newspaper, and Online Journalism
Capstone College
Public Communications
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Professional
Subject Categories
Communication | Journalism Studies
Abstract
The first women’s magazines date back to the beginning of the twentieth century. Throughout the years, they continue to advise, entertain, and give a voice to women. This paper examines one particular area: health journalism, an area that offers the potential for a substantial impact on readers’ health and lifestyle. This thesis explores the potential impact through interviewing the health editors and writers, as well as the readers themselves. The thesis also profiles a pioneer health writer, Barbara Seaman, whose decades of health writing for women’s magazines served as a catalyst for change on several critical women’s issues. Seaman’s work appeared in several influential publications directed at women, and these magazines emerged as advocates for women’s health at a historically important time—the 1960s-1970s—the beginning of the women’s movement. Overall, women’s magazines push for change and serve as advocates for women’s health, and this was especially true in that time period. The articles that ran in magazines helped sway society on two specific issues: choice in breast cancer surgery and the option of having fathers in the delivery room. Today, magazines include articles on just about every aspect of health: from anxiety disorders to exercise advice. This thesis examines the six issues that pertain to women’s health that women’s magazines helped define and promote: menopause, drugs/pharmaceuticals, sex, diet/nutrition, cigarette smoking, and parenting. Readers take magazines seriously and rely on them to provide accurate and useful health information. Therefore, a cohesive code of ethics for this area was formulated and included in the conclusion.
Recommended Citation
Cuffey, Abigail, "A Comprehensive Analysis of the Impact of Health Journalism through Women's Magazines" (2007). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 594.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/594
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