Abstract
To the Editor: Scholars have routinely noted ways in which scientific inquiry is isolated from public life and popular attention and have bemoaned relatively low levels of scientific literacy among lay audiences (1–3). While public understanding of science in the United States and elsewhere undoubtedly is not at the level desired by most scientists, apparent interest and hunger to learn are high for certain issues. These issues represent public communication opportunities.
Highlights
To the Editor: Scholars have routinely noted ways in which scientific inquiry is isolated from public life and popular attention and have bemoaned relatively low levels of scientific literacy among lay audiences (1–3)
The risk for pandemic human influenza stemming from the avian influenza H5N1 virus is thought to be relatively low (4), media coverage of the disease, at least superficial and episodic coverage of disease incidence, has been dramatic
We report here relevant results from a national survey of local television news viewers in the United States
Summary
To the Editor: Scholars have routinely noted ways in which scientific inquiry is isolated from public life and popular attention and have bemoaned relatively low levels of scientific literacy among lay audiences (1–3). We report here relevant results from a national survey of local television news viewers in the United States. Evidence from an Internetbased survey conducted in May 2006 suggests that viewers think that the potential direct impact of avian influenza on their own lives should be covered by reporters and have interest in scientific investigation of the disease.
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