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.

The Twin Sister of Diabetes

By Francine Kaufman, M.D.

In many ways, diabetic children in Haiti seem just like other children around the world facing this disease. Then, they talk about not being able to get to the doctor, or not having all the medicine they need, and they distinguish themselves as being different from most others across the globe.

Only What's Necessary

By Yvonne LaRose

The message must be delivered and the knowledge put forth. If it does not happen, stupid mistakes will be made that will compromise the safety of not just one person but all those who are in their company on the day the abuser learns of the target's whereabouts.

As Haiti's Rebuilding Continues, Camp Helps Children Manage Their Diabetes

By Francine Kaufman, M.D.

When the 43 campers first arrived, they sat patiently in their chairs for over 45 minutes while we assessed their diabetes and overall status. It was boring, but not one of them complained.

Just One Breath: CDC Stands Up and Takes Notice of Valley Fever

By William Heisel

The CDC's research on valley fever's impact in California and Arizona was both an unexpected validation of the Reporting on Health Collaborative's work and an encouragement to do more of the same.

Healthy Neighborhoods

By Andrew Doughman

One of the public health trends these days appears to be a focus on the built environment. Here's how I reported on the connection between improving where people live and bettering their health.

Florida Legislation

Self surgery clinics to open

By James Salwitz

The medical equivalents of U-Haul, Home Depot and rental rug shampooers, self service operating rooms have been the subject of debate and excitement.

AHCJ’s New Hospital Inspection Site Shows Medicare the Way Forward

By William Heisel

Because I have encouraged health writers to think a little more like car writers, I took both HospitalInspections.org and Medicare’s Hospital Compare website for a comparison test drive.

African Health Dialogues

Combating TB in Africa: The Case of South Africa

By Wale Idris Ajibade

According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer worldwide due to a single infectious agent. In 2011 alone, an estimated 8.7 million new cases of TB occurred, leading to 1.4 million deaths.

Health Media Jobs and Opportunities: Radio, broadcast and print positions available

By Anna Romano

Whether you're interested in print, magazine, radio or television, this week's Career GPS has potential jobs for you.

Immigration Reform: Will It Help or Hurt Medicare?

By Kimber Solana

As Congress grapples with immigration reform, questions are arising about the impact new Americans and legal residents could have on U.S. social programs, among them the health care system.