Public figures who die from, or openly discuss their diagnosis of a particular illness, sometimes find themselves as the founder of an unintended effect. A celebrity face on an illness cloaked in shame or uncertainty can be the catalyst for the viewing public to get tested or at least raise public awareness. Perhaps the most well-known and studied celebrity effects are Betty Ford and breast cancer and Magic Johnson and HIV/AIDS. Now NBC Nightly News and other media outlets are reporting on the Tim Russert Effect, an increase in middle aged men seeking additional tests and more aggressive management of their heart health after the sudden death of NBC political analyst Tim Russert last month.
You can watch the video clip from Monday's newscast here:
Though the public does not know these public figures personally, many feel as though they can realte to these figures because they are so visible. When one of them gets sick, it may trigger some people who are watching to realize their own risk.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment