Insights

You learn a lot when you spend months reporting on a given issue or community, as our fellows can attest. Whether you’re embarking on a big new story or seeking to go deeper on a given issue, it pays to learn from those who’ve already put in the shoe leather and crunched the data. In these essays and columns, our community of journalists steps back from the notebooks and tape to reflect on key lessons, highlight urgent themes, and offer sage advice on the essential health stories of the day. 

Author(s)
By Jill Braden Balderas

Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, who works in one of the poorest, most violent places in America, has developed a system that's tackling two of health care's most intrinsic problems: cost and quality of care. Watch a webcast where he discusses his model for care.

Author(s)
By Trudy Lieberman

The average man or woman on the street who needs insurance doesn’t care one whit what policy wonks and partisan bloggers have to say about premium costs. They will decide to buy or not buy based on their pocketbooks, a point overlooked in the media rush to report the spin.

Author(s)
By Ryan White

Southern California’s The Press-Enterprise newspaper recently published an extensively reported, in-depth look at air pollution in the Inland Empire and invited community members to a discussion about ways to improve the situation.

Author(s)
By Debra Sherman

When faced with cancer, here are some tips to decide if it is best to rely on local medical care or consider traveling to a big-name medical center given the hassle and expense.