TV Portrayals of CPR Often Inaccurate, May Reinforce Real-World Disparities in Care

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 reveals that these depictions may reinforce real-world disparities in CPR receipt, particularly affecting women, Black adults, and Latino adults.

Researchers 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 the people who received Hands-Only CPR on television were younger than 40 years old, while real-life recipients needing CPR are typically older, with an average age of 62 years. The study also identified significant discrepancies in location, with more than 80% of real-world out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring at home compared to only about 20% on screen. Television portrayals were more likely to show cardiac arrests happening in remote areas or public spaces.

The analysis highlights concerning demographic patterns in television depictions. CPR in the reviewed episodes commonly featured males and white adults as both recipients and providers of Hands-Only CPR. This mirrors real-life disparities where women and Black and Latino adults are less likely than white people to receive CPR from a lay rescuer. According to the American Heart Association, each year more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the U.S., but only about 40% of people experiencing a cardiac arrest outside a hospital receive immediate help, with even lower rates among Black and Latino adults and women.

Senior author Beth L. Hoffman noted that television depictions of health topics can influence viewers, and there have been news stories about people saving lives because of CPR they learned from watching it on screen. The research suggests that inaccurate portrayals may contribute to lower prevalence of Hands-Only CPR performed outside of hospitals. First author Ore Fawole explained that what appears on television could be a reflection of real life or could reinforce implicit biases that contribute to lower CPR receipt rates for certain demographic groups.

The American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative aims to turn lay rescuers into lifesavers with a goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. Association volunteer president Stacey E. Rosen emphasized that Hands-Only CPR is a simple two-step process requiring no special training or equipment, making it accessible to anyone, including young children. This is particularly important since most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home, meaning knowing CPR could help save the life of a loved one.

While the study found that 58% of those who experienced a fictional out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on television received CPR—higher than the real-world likelihood of about 40%—researchers hope this analysis will pave the way for more accurate television depictions that can help close gaps in CPR disparities. Accurate portrayals could potentially motivate more people to act quickly if they witness an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, ultimately saving more lives across all demographic groups.