By Russell DeVita

Hollywood, Health & Society, a program of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, has announced 10 finalists for the 2012 Sentinel for Health Awards, highlighting dramas, comedies and children’s programming covering such topics as addiction, Asperger’s, childbirth, hunger, mental health and sexual abuse.

The finalists were chosen out of 50 entries — double the number received in 2011 — that spanned 14 networks and cable channels. All eligible entries were subject to two rounds of review and judged for accuracy by experts at the CDC and partner organizations.

In its thirteenth year, the Sentinel for Health Awards are sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and recognize exemplary television storylines that inform, educate and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. Five categories of storylines are recognized: Primetime Drama, Children’s Programming, Comedy, Climate Change and Global Health.

“We are thrilled with the number of entries this year,” said Sandra de Castro Buffington, director of Hollywood, Health & Society. “Every day millions of viewers worldwide learn something new about health from TV storylines and take action on what they've learned.  As more shows address health topics, there are more opportunities for people to learn.”

All finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony followed by a panel discussion with the writers on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at the Writers Guild of America, West, in Los Angeles.

For the press release and list of the finalists, click here