Insights

<p>In this excerpt from Kathleen Sharp's new book, two friends-turned-pharma-whistleblowers attend an extravagant Wild West&nbsp; trip rewarding them for selling the prescription drug Procrit.</p>

<p>The average immigrant comes to the United States as a healthier individual than the average U.S.-born American. However, by the time they reach the age of 75 or 80, immigrants suffer from much higher rates of chronic illness than their American-born peers.</p>

<p>Smoking as a blue-collar habit, health insurance for moms-to-be, Rick Perry's health record in Texas and more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Can computer applications make people healthy (and companies profitable)? &nbsp;The quest is on to develop a game-changer like Farmville.</p>

<p>The feds may have shuttered the public portion of the National Practitioner Data Bank, but you can still access it thanks to an investigative journalism group. Get tips on using this data from Alan Bavley, the Kansas City Star reporter whose stories prompted the data's removal.</p>

<p>Reporters with multi-beat experience are in high demand this week at a variety of news organizations.Take note of upcoming health journalism fellowship deadlines this month, in addition to the latest information on workshops and other educational opportunities.</p>

<p>The Vermont news site's founding editor Anne Galloway says the right candidate will dig deep on these beats and be able to withstand snowy winters.</p>

<p>Interested in learning how to analyze public California hospital data to find great health stories in your community? Check out this archived Webinar as well as Pro Publica Investigative Reporter Charlie Ornstein's tipsheet of practical how-tos.</p>

<p>Tainted melons and beef renew attention to food safety, paying more for healh insurance, six must-read health policy studies and more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Kansas City Star reporter Alan Bavley became something of a cause celebre after the feds threatened him with a fine for using public medical malpractice data. I talk with him about his experiences and public reaction to his reporting.</p>