Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3011

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Thompson EL.
Sexual bias in drug advertisements.
Soc Sci Med 1979 Mar; 13A:(2):187-91

Abstract:

This study was based on drug advertisements appaering in two leading American medical journals in 1975. The sex distribution of patients shown in advertisements for drugs for various conditions was compared with the sex distribution of those people who are actually afflicted with these conditions. Sexual bias was found in advertisements for medications for hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, angina, depression, and hyperlipidemia. In each case there were significantly more male patients shown in the advertisements than was warranted. No bias was found in advertisements for drugs for respiratory problems, non-respiratory infections, arthritis and pain.

Keywords:
*content analysis/United States/journal advertisements/images in ads/men/women/sexism/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: JOURNAL ADVERTISEMENTS/IMAGES IN PROMOTION: MEN/IMAGES IN PROMOTION: WOMEN Advertising* Female Humans Male Periodicals Pharmaceutical Preparations* Sex*