Media Influence on Opioid Stigma & Policy Support
Problem
The link between partisan media consumption and opioid stigma is poorly understood.
The opioid epidemic in the United States has reached alarming proportions, with synthetic opioid use soaring nearly 7.5 times between 2015 and 2021, resulting in over 80,000 deaths in 2021 alone. Despite the severity of opioid use disorder (OUD), less than 30 percent of affected adults receive treatment, partly due to pervasive stigma. OUD stigma impedes evidence-based policies and interventions, deterring individuals from seeking necessary care. The media, particularly partisan outlets, plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception. Exposure to certain media sources intensifies stigma surrounding OUD, influencing attitudes towards effective responses and public health policies. Research indicates that media coverage of the epidemic often includes stigmatizing language, exacerbating societal misconceptions. This study delves into the correlation between partisan media consumption and OUD stigma, alongside its impact on policy support. Additionally, it investigates the mediating role of racism, recognizing its influence on attitudes towards drug use.
Solution
NORC surveyed 6,000+ Americans to gauge OUD perceptions that may be influenced by partisan media consumption.
Our research employed a comprehensive survey approach using the AmeriSpeak® Panel, a probability-based panel representing U.S. households, to gather data from a representative sample of over 6,000 American adults. By conducting both web and phone interviews, our study aimed to accurately capture the public's attitudes towards OUD and examine the influence of partisan media consumption on these perceptions, including associations between partisan media consumption and discriminatory policies. The data, stratified to reflect the demographic composition of the U.S., enabled a nuanced exploration of public opinion on OUD and related policies, revealing insights into the impact of partisan media on stigma, policy support, and discriminatory attitudes. Furthermore, our study investigated the mediating role of racism, recognizing its influence on attitudes towards drug use and policy preferences.
Result
We observed significant associations between partisan media consumption and opioid stigma, which may have implications for attempts to curtail the opioid epidemic.
The study's findings reveal a significant association between partisan media consumption (PMC) and various dependent variables, even after adjusting for potential confounders such as self-reported political affiliations. Specifically, Republican-leaning media consumption correlates with heightened stigma towards OUD and reduced support for both national and local harm reduction policies, alongside increased backing for discriminatory practices. Conversely, Democratic-leaning media consumption shows opposite trends. PMC emerged as the most substantial factor influencing OUD stigma and was a prominent correlate of attitudes towards national OUD policies and discriminatory practices, only second to personal opioid overdose history. Notably, PMC was not significantly linked to support for carceral policies. These results underscore the pivotal role of PMC in shaping public opinions and attitudes towards OUD, highlighting its influence on policy support and stigmatization.
Contact Information
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Project Leads
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Bruce Taylor
Senior FellowPrimary Investigator -
Phoebe Lamuda
Senior Research DirectorProject Director -
Sherry Emery
DirectorSenior Advisor -
Alex Kresovich
Research ScientistResearch Lead
"Our findings suggest we need more long-term research on this topic. If partisan media affects opioid use disorder stigma and policy, public health advocates should work with conservative leaders to create joint communication campaigns. By promoting non-stigmatizing approaches, we can reduce opioid deaths by increasing access to treatment and encouraging people to seek help."
