Angilee Shah

<p>The Future of Music Coalition conducted a survey in 2010 showing that 33 percent of musicians responding had no health insurance. It's a problem that resonates with freelance journalists or those who do not receive health benefits from their employers. Broader concerns about health access in the

<p>Mobile health applications, mHealth, health apps -- no matter what you call them, they are a hot topic here at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin, Texas.</p>

<p>If you have ever been a freelance journalist, you know how hard it can be to break into a new outlet. That's why opportunities like those offered by HealthyCal.org are golden. The site focuses on health policy and how it connects to communities around California, an apt topic for editor Daniel Weintraub who spent nine years as a public affairs columnist at the <em>Sacramento Bee</em>. When Weintraub launched HealthyCal.org just over a year ago, he was the main content producer. Now, he's looking for new contributors from all over the state to connect Sacramento politics with ground realities.</p>

<p>I'll admit it: I am a South by Southwest newbie. But since the megaconference is expecting over 14,000 participants in the Interactive portion alone, I'm going to guess I won't be the only one. But I've done my homework, downloaded the (indispensible) mobile app, and scoured the schedule for new ideas in health. Here are the panels that caught my eye.</p>

<p>Aly Colón, independent journalist and instructor at the Poynter Institute, said&nbsp;in a recent webinar&nbsp;that journalists should look for "listening posts" to help find untold stories. Colón is a specialist in ethics and diversity and discussed ways that journalists can improve in both areas.&nbsp;This week at&nbsp;<em>Career GPS</em>, we start a conversation about diversifying coverage with this question: What are the best places for health journalism listening posts?</p>

<p>Rick Edmonds is a media business analyst who writes the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.poynter.org/category/latest-news/business-news/the-biz-blog/… Blog</a> at Poynter Online. In Poynter’s&nbsp;"100 Ideas to Make Your Journalism Better" webinar&nbsp;last week, Edmonds said journalists need to know what is happening in the business of journalism. While times are going to get leaner as we move ahead, there are still good areas of opportunity in news media, he said. Demand for digital and mobile content is on the rise, as is federal and business coverage. This week at&nbsp;<em>Career GPS</em>, I ask Edmonds about the business of health journalism. Where are we headed and how can we can be prepared?</p>

<p>If you're looking for affordable and convenient journalism training (that you can do in your pajamas), there are few better resources than <a href="http://www.newsu.org/">Poynter News University</a>.&nbsp;This week in&nbsp;Career GPS, we bring you the best ideas for health journalists from the 100th NewsU webinar, and new health media job openings.</p>

<p>The Reynolds Center for Business Journalism offered three seminars on social media this week. I won't do another post on the virtues and anxieties and the basics of using social media. Instead, I’ll focus on using social media to be a better reporter.</p>

<p>Today's <em>Reporting on Health Daily Briefing</em> is keeping up with health care reform battles, grammar wars and hospitals' care for illegal immigrants.</p>

<p>If you have a smartphone, chances are you know what an invaluable tool it is for a journalist.&nbsp;This week, we're highlighting iPhone applications that are useful for health journalists.</p>