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 Barbara Feder Ostrov

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Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography" /> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading" /> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <mce:style><! /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} --> <!--[endif]--></p><p>Why have medical bankruptcies not declined in Mass. after the state's own health reforms? Answers and more in our Daily Briefing.</p>

Author(s)
By Marona Graham-Bailey

<p>There are plenty of places to stumble in teaching kids how to do health journalism. Here are Marona Graham Bailey's do's and don'ts after her first summer teaching middle school students.</p>

Author(s)
By William Heisel

<p>Fined by the Nevada medical board and <a href="../../../../../../../../blogs/patients-nevada-prepare-be-patient-when-researching-your-doctor">ordered to stop performing abortions</a>, Dr. Algis Martell had a decision to make.</p> <p>As so many doctors do when they make a mess of their primary specialty, Martell decided to get a makeover.</p>

Author(s)
By Barbara Feder Ostrov

<p>Here’s the latest in health and health journalism news from Reporting on Health.</p> <p><strong><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/2363255713_ca2257262a_m.jpg&quot; style="float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 15px;" />Sick Leave:</strong> Could San Francisco’s nationally recognized paid sick leave law extend to the rest of California? Mari Edlin <a href="http://www.californiahealthline.org/features/2011/will-s-f-paid-sick-le… about one state lawmaker’s proposal</a> for California Healthline.</p>

Author(s)
By Angilee Shah

<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>

Author(s)
By Marice Ashe

<p>With escalating obesity rates and growing interest in “buying local,” it’s a prime moment for health reporters to shine a light on how local government leaders can build momentum for a strategy many communities have long ignored.</p>