Abstract

SANTOS DIEZ, María Teresa  and  PEREZ DASILVA, Jesús Ángel. Rare Diseases and their Representation in the Spanish Press. Palabra Clave [online]. 2019, vol.22, n.1, e22110. ISSN 0122-8285.  https://doi.org/10.5294/pacla.2019.22.1.10.

This article derives from a research project focused on the media attention given by Spanish newspapers El País, ABC, El Mundo and La Razón to rare diseases (RDs) between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. This is a live issue of social interest that contributes to spotlighting a serious health problem suffered by less than five out of 10,000 people. These pathologies are chronic, life-threatening and highly likely to cause disability and dependency. By means of a content analysis method, thematic areas are identified, and the treatment given to them by such newspapers is quantified, analyzed and compared. Results show that it is a relevant emerging issue in the national press, which is dealt with in generic texts that are mostly posted in the society section and prepared with little depth and hardly any explanations or opinions using a single source. The most recurrent themes are medicine/diseases, research and courts. Therefore, RDs are present in Spanish newspapers that convey a view to society that is comparable to other diseases and provide a general approach. However, their presence increases in December, February and March (64.3 %), which coincide with celebrations or the publication of sensationalist news that attracts great media attention. The need for specialized professionals and expert sources is also confirmed.

Keywords : Strange diseases; health; mass media communications; research; Spain.

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