Scripted television programs in the United States often inaccurately portray who is most likely to need cardiopulmonary resuscitation and where out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen, according to new research published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes. The analysis of 169 TV episodes aired since 2008 found these depictions may reinforce real-life disparities where women and Black and Latino adults are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander.
Researchers examined TV portrayals as a potential reason for the low prevalence of Hands-Only CPR performed outside hospitals, particularly for these demographic groups. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the U.S., and immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates. However, only about 40% of people experiencing cardiac arrest outside a hospital receive immediate help, with even lower rates among Black and Latino adults and women.
The study found that less than 30% of the TV episodes accurately portrayed Hands-Only CPR, which involves calling 911 and beginning chest compressions. More than half of fictional CPR recipients were younger than 40, while real-life recipients average 62 years old. Furthermore, while more than 80% of actual out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, only about 20% of TV portrayals showed this setting. Television instead depicted cardiac arrests more frequently in remote areas (37%) or public spaces (26%).
Depictions commonly featured males and white adults as both recipients and providers of Hands-Only CPR. "It was interesting that what we saw on screen mirrored real-life disparities in CPR receipt," said Ore Fawole, first author of the research. "It could be that what is on TV is a reflection of real-life, or that what people are watching on TV reinforces implicit biases or stereotypes that contribute to lower rates of CPR receipt."
Senior author Beth L. Hoffman noted that TV depictions of health topics can influence viewers, and there have been news stories about people saving lives because of CPR learned from watching television. "Considering the sheer number of people who watch TV, it's important to think of how to leverage this to improve the likelihood that people will perform CPR and save lives," Hoffman said.
The American Heart Association's Hands-Only CPR technique uses chest compressions only rather than the combination of breaths and compressions, and has been shown to be just as effective as conventional CPR in the critical first few minutes after cardiac arrest in teens and adults. The Association's Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030 by turning lay rescuers into lifesavers.
Stacey E. Rosen, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the simplicity of Hands-Only CPR. "Hands-Only CPR is a simple two-step process - call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then push hard and fast in the center of the chest," Rosen said. "Because no special training or equipment is needed, anyone can provide this lifesaving measure, even young children. That's especially important because most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home."
