The Sentinel for Health Awards recognise exemplary television (TV) storylines that best inform, educate and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. Past recognition has been given for storylines about breast cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, disability, foetal alcohol syndrome, car crashes, organ donation, and safe sex. Judging is conducted in two stages, with expert panel reviews at the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Cancer Institute (NCI) and partner organisations to evaluate entries for accuracy, and a second panel review in Los Angeles, California, United States, to review finalists for entertainment value and potential benefit to the viewing audience. Representatives from entertainment, public health, advocacy, and academic organisations submit scores to determine the winners in each category.

The first Sentinel for Health Award was developed in 2000 by the CDC to recognise exemplary achievements of writers and producers who demonstrate a commitment to heath issues in TV soap operas. The awards programme now includes recognition in five categories: daytime drama, primetime drama, primetime minor storyline, primetime comedy and telenovela.

Click here to download the guidelines in PDF format.

The deadline for application is June 15 2007.

Click here to read about previous winners of the competition.