FEEDBACK

Regarding Mary McNamara’s story on “ER” (“This One Delivered With Recurrent Fury,” March 29): The strong emotional response that she described to an episode from 15 years ago, her immediate desire to talk to someone about it and the potential educational benefit she noted are classic examples of what is called “entertainment education” in public health circles. It’s arguable that no one has done TV health better than the writers and producers of “ER.” They will be sorely missed by everyone like me, who had the pleasure of working with them over the past 15 years.

While the enormous impact of the show is beyond measure, “ER” has garnered numerous awards from health groups and many researchers have studied it. Results consistently showed significant gains in viewer education.

Rather than beating us over the head with health education messages, the producers, writers and actors at “ER” cleverly entertained us by creating characters whom we really cared about and story lines that made us laugh and cry and think, some 15 years later. At the same time, they seamlessly fed us what we needed to know to live healthier lives. It was exemplary storytelling with more than a spoonful of drama, and we never even knew the medicine was going down.

Vicki Beck

Carlsbad

Director emerita, Hollywood, Health & Society

USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center