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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2009 Aug-Sep;24(4):302–312. doi: 10.1177/1533317509338039

What Are The Top-Circulating Magazines in the United States Telling Older Adults About Cognitive Health?

Anna E Mathews 1, Sarah B Laditka 2, James N Laditka 3, Daniela B Friedman 4
PMCID: PMC10846261  PMID: 19516071

Abstract

There is growing evidence that healthy behaviors may promote cognitive health. The behaviors include physical activity, heart-healthy diets, and social engagement. Popular print media helps disseminate health information. This study examines the content focused on cognitive health in 5 top—circulating magazines marketed to older people in the United States. All pages (29 881 pages) of each magazine published in 2006 and 2007 were searched. There were 84 articles on cognitive health. Few were by health or science writers. Of the 58 articles on prevention, the contents focused primarily on diet and multiple behaviors, with less on physical activity or social engagement. Less than 20% provided resources to help readers obtain further information. Articles focused on physical activity, with information directing readers to credible resources, and by writers with health or science backgrounds, could enhance the quality of cognitive health communication in popular media.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive health, dementia, health communication, health behaviors, popular media

Full Text

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Contributor Information

Anna E. Mathews, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, AnnaEMathews@gmail.com .

Sarah B. Laditka, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina.

James N. Laditka, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Daniela B. Friedman, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

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