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 William Heisel

<p>The doctors behind the "Diets Fail!" campaign to get people to undergo Lap-Band surgery have innovated again. Failing to win a libel case against the newspaper that exposed their shady business practices, they are attempting to persuade a judge to treat newspaper reporters like the Mafia.</p>

Author(s)
By Barbara Feder Ostrov

<p>Even if you're not a fan of commemorative disease days or months, there are some intriguing story angles if you end up covering National Depression Screening Day this week. Here are ideas and resources.</p>

Author(s)
By Molly Gray

<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>

Author(s)
By Barbara Feder Ostrov

<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>