General Hospital was recently rewarded for incorporating timely and relevant health-related story lines into its episodes.

The soap opera took top honors at the Sentinel for Health Awards this year, which acknowledge TV programs for content that informs, educates and motivates audiences towards choices that promote healthier and safer well-being.

General Hospital took first and second place at the awards for their plots on HIV and lung cancer.

The episode entitled “Patrick's HIV Scare” was judged the winning installment, while “Alexis' Lung Cancer” came in second. The Bold and the Beautiful's “Taylor's Alcohol Addiction” placed third for its take on alcohol abuse.

“Television writers and producers are in a unique position both to entertain and to inform viewers,” Martin Kaplan, the Norman Lear Chair at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and director of the Lear Center, said.

“The Sentinel for Health Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on master storytellers who use their power not only to make hits, but also to educate audiences about crucial issues.”

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.