ABSTRACT
Health themes in television shows have generated no lack of successful programs and characters in white jackets, e.g., Dr. Kildaire; Ben Casey; Marcus Welby M.D.; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; ER; Chicago Hope; LA Doctors; Providence; Presidio Med; and more. Nonmedical daytime and prime-time shows in the United States have also produced a steady diet of public health topics and characters. Many resulted in long-running storylines with major characters who encounter unintended pregnancy (Maude), cancer (thirtysomething), mental health issues (LA Law), transplantation (NYPD Blue), teenage drug and alcohol abuse (7th Heaven), safe sex/avoiding pregnancy (Felicity, Dawson’s Creek), violence against women (Beverly Hills 90210), heart disease (Any Day Now), diabetes (The Young & The Restless), breast cancer (One Life to Live), HIV/AIDS (The Bold & The Beautiful), and more.
