Abstract

This paper explores how students at a Canadian university assess coverage of the H1N1 pandemic. Specifically, this study explores where students obtain their information, how they use media information to make public health decisions, and how they believe media coverage of pandemics might be improved. This study then explores the implications of these findings for health professionals and others. The author draws on the work of Dudo et al., Berry et al., Drache et al., and others, to explore the significant role media play when members of the public make important decisions about their health care. The findings will be of interest to those in the health field who are trying to communicate their messages to the public.