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HH&S, a program of the Norman Lear Center, provides Hollywood writers free research resources

Hollywood, Health & Society (HH&S) is a program at the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center that provides entertainment industry professionals with accurate and timely information for health storylines. With funders that have included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The California Endowment, the Barr Foundation, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Grantham Foundation, ClimateWorks, Skoll Global Threats Fund, Health Resources and Services Administration's Division of Transplantation, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the program recognizes the profound impact that entertainment media have on individual knowledge and behavior.

09/21/2026

Constance Zimmer said it on the red carpet at the Emmys: the scripts for older women aren't coming. Sally Field's win is incredible, and we're thrilled to see older women celebrated, but we're still far from real range in roles for women over a certain age, especially ones that aren't just "grandmother."

📹: Women In Their Prime Time: Aging In (and Out of) Hollywood, 2018 Panel presented by Hollywood, Health & Society, a program of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Norman Lear Center, in collaboration with the WGAW's Career Longevity Committee and Committee of Women Writers.

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe-XaQXyzIA

09/15/2026

A major advance in treatment could change what wakefulness feels like for people living with the disorder.

The FDA has approved Orzeyful, a first-of-its-kind treatment designed to mimic orexin, a brain chemical missing in people with type 1 narcolepsy. In clinical trials, patients showed significant improvements in their ability to stay awake.

Project Sleep founder Julie Flygare, who participated in a clinical trial and later served as a consultant to Takeda Pharmaceuticals on patient perspectives, described the difference simply: “The wakefulness had a different tone to it; it felt sunnier.”

The condition is far more complex than the familiar stereotype of suddenly falling asleep; it can affect memory, attention, work, relationships and everyday life. The development underscores why accurate portrayals of narcolepsy on TV and in film matter.

Read the full article via the link in our bio (paywalled).

09/14/2026

The FDA has approved Orzeyful, a first-of-its-kind treatment for type 1 narcolepsy designed to mimic orexin, a brain chemical that people with the disorder are missing. Clinical trials showed substantial improvements in patients’ ability to stay awake.

Julie Flygare, founder of Project Sleep, participated in a clinical trial and later served as a consultant to Takeda on patient perspectives. She described the wakefulness she experienced as different from stimulants: “The wakefulness had a different tone to it; it felt sunnier.”

The news is also an important reminder that narcolepsy is much more than the stereotype of suddenly falling asleep. Its effects can reach into memory, attention and nearly every aspect of daily life.

Find the link to the New York Times article in the comments.

09/10/2026

Hollywood, Health, and Society proudly announces the 2026 Norman Lear Awards hosted by Jay Pharoah! The annual event pays tribute to TV storytelling that positively impacts health and culture, and will take place on October 29th in Beverly Hills.

Ten TV shows will be honored for their portrayal of critical health topics such as healthcare access and disparities, clinical trial advancement, mental health, climate change, reproductive rights, sleep disorders, and national security.

💫 We look forward to celebrating this year’s honorees!

Read about it here: https://hollywoodhealthandsociety.org/2026-norman-lear-awards/

08/27/2026

Interested in learning more about end of life issues? Check out What About Death!?, a Karuna Hospice Services initiative in Brisbane, Australia, hosted by Venerable Tsultrim to create thoughtful, compassionate conversations about death, dying, grief and loss. Listen to the most recent episode released this past weekend on all major platforms, featuring HH&S director Kate Folb and Norman Lear Center’s Erica Rosenthal!

08/20/2026

Thanks to decades of medical research, vaccines are one of the safest and most effective life-saving tools we have. They prevent millions of deadly illnesses around the world every year. Vaccines are tested A LOT – even during times of emergency – to make sure they’re safe. Been hearing rumors about vaccines?

Get the facts at: go.cdph.ca.gov/vaccinefacts

08/19/2026

Vaccinations help children’s immune systems recognize and fight off contagious diseases, keeping them healthy so they can grow, learn, and thrive. Ask your child’s health care provider about recommended vaccines.
Schedule their next checkup today!

Visit: cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/immunize.aspx

10/27/2025

Congratulations to our 2025 Norman Lear Award winners! We’re looking forward to celebrating these shows during our upcoming ceremony.

10/22/2025

Thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting the 2025 Norman Lear Awards!

09/21/2025

Trouble sleeping? Experts say it’s not just about blue light or bedtime hacks — chronic sleep issues may require medical care.

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+12137642703

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http://hollywoodhealthandsociety.org/

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