Hollywood, Health & Society, a joint project of the Norman Lear Center at USC Annenberg and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced 13 finalists for the Sentinel for Health Awards on Sept. 15.

In its ninth year, the Sentinel for Health Awards recognizes exemplary achievements of television storylines that inform, educate and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. Six categories of storylines will be recognized – daytime drama, primetime drama, primetime comedy, primetime drama minor storyline, Spanish-language telenovela and children’s programming.

The 13 finalists received the highest scores in a field of 31 eligible entries that were reviewed by topic experts at the CDC and partner organizations. Health topics addressed in the storylines include lung cancer, teen sexual health, HIV and pregnancy, drug addiction, gang violence, oral cancer, sexual abuse, and alcoholism.

All finalists will be recognized in an awards ceremony followed by a panel discussion with the writers on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Writers Guild of America, West, in Los Angeles.

"We're delighted to shine a spotlight on television writers and producers who both entertain viewers and at the same time provide them with accurate information," says Martin Kaplan, holder of the Norman Lear Chair in Entertainment and director of the Lear Center. "Our hope is that the storylines we honor with this award will spur other TV writers to recognize and use responsibly the awesome power they wield."

Hollywood, Health & Society works with nationally recognized experts from government, academic and nonprofit organizations to consult with TV writers on health issues in storylines. More than 100 requests were received from daytime and primetime TV writers in the past year.

"Every day millions of viewers worldwide learn something new about health from TV storylines and take action on what they've learned," says Sandra de Castro Buffington, director of the Hollywood, Health & Society project. "Viewers turn on their televisions to follow the stories that touch their hearts and minds, and strongly influence their choice making. Recognizing the profound impact of TV storylines on health knowledge, attitudes and behavior, we honor writers and producers who weave accurate health messages into their storytelling."  

First-round judging for the Sentinel for Health Awards focused on accuracy of health depictions. Twelve panels of topic experts participated in this activity at CDC and partner organizations. Entries were scored by the experts and those with the highest scores became finalists. The 13 finalists were then reviewed for entertainment value and potential benefit to the viewing audience by two panels of judges representing entertainment, news media, and academic and public health organizations.

The 2008 Sentinel for Health Awards finalists are:

Daytime Drama
• As the World Turns (CBS):  “Barbara’s Cancer Story” (Oral cancer)
 
Primetime Comedy
• Desperate Housewives (ABC):  “Lynette’s Cancer” (Cancer)
• Desperate Housewives (ABC):  “Something Coming” (Drug addiction)

Primetime Drama
• Breaking Bad (AMC): “Walt’s Lung Cancer” (Lung cancer)
• ER (NBC): “Abby’s Alcohol Relapse” (Alcohol abuse)
• Law & Order (NBC): “Betrayal” (Sexual abuse)
• Without A Trace (CBS): “A Bend in the Road” (Organ transplantation)
• House (Fox): “The Right Stuff” (Cancer)

Primetime Minor Storyline
• Grey’s Anatomy (ABC): “Piece of My Heart” (HIV & pregnancy)
• Private Practice (ABC): “In Which Addison Finds a Showerhead” (Teen sexual health)
• Private Practice (ABC): “In Which Cooper Finds a Port in His Storm” (Newborn abandonment)

Spanish-Language Telenoevla
• Pecados Ajenos (Telemundo): “Construction Safety Storyline” (Occupational health)

Children’s Programming
• Lincoln Heights (ABC Family): “The Vision” (Gang violence)