title: Portland Water Fluoridation: A Newspaper Analysis.
abstract: Portland, Oregon is the largest city in the United States without community water fluoridation (CWF). A newspaper analysis was conducted of the failed 2013 CWF campaign to evaluate anti-fluoridation and pro-fluoridation messaging provided by newspapers during the campaign. News content was categorized by type and slant (pro-fluoridation, anti-fluoridation, or neutral) and 34 variables were tabulated (23 anti-fluoridation, 11 pro-fluoridation). Results showed overall messaging was slightly pro-fluoridation, as compared to anti-fluoridation or neutral content (35%, 32%, and 33% respectively). Editorial content was 85% pro-fluoridation and 15% anti-fluoridation. The most frequent anti-fluoridation variables were alternatives to water fluoridation, mass/forced medication and concerns about the political process. Conversely, tooth decay and social justice were the most commonly cited pro-fluoridation variables. Newspapers can be influential in shaping public policy opinions in the fight for community water fluoridation.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Population Health, Health Systems Leadership & Informatics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Advanced Population Health, Health Systems Leadership & Informatics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Martha Dewey
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bergren
authors.affiliation: Advanced Population Health, Health Systems Leadership & Informatics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Patricia Ryan
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D005457:Fluoridation; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009524:Newspapers as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009922:Oregon; D011640:Public Policy
keywords: fluoride; health policy; newspaper; population-based nursing; social justice; water fluoridation