Stigmatizing bioterrorism as a public health concern: The case of anthrax in US media.

This work approaches the role of media in stigmatizing anthrax as a bioweapon in the United States, transitioning the disease from a relatively obscure zoonotic pathogen to a symbol of bioterrorism. By analyzing over 20,000 articles published between 1979 and 2023, we trace how the 2001 anthrax attacks in the US significantly shifted media coverage to focus anthrax as a national security, terrorism, and public health concern. This framing reinforced the stigmatization of anthrax as a militarized threat, even during periods of low assessed risk. The study uses a novel data science approach integrated with classical social science theories to map the evolution of stigmatization themes. The findings highlight how media coverage has come to prioritize framing bioterrorism over public health risks, limiting efforts to manage anthrax as a neglected zoonotic disease. The study underscores an opportunity for more balanced media messaging that reduces stigmatization, minimizes public fear, and promotes awareness of anthrax as both a public health issue and a global health concern.