Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism
Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism
Since 2004, the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism have recognized the best health reporting in print, broadcast, and online media. The contest was created by journalists for journalists and is not influenced or funded by commercial or special-interest groups.
There are 14 categories. Most are topic-based, meaning entries compete head-to-head whether they appeared in magazines, newspapers, online outlets or on radio or television stations.
“The various categories developed over 18 years acknowledge the diversity of storytelling styles in health reporting, and their impacts," said Carrie Feibel, AHCJ contest chair and a health editor for NPR. “The contest embraces the work of veteran reporters and established outlets, as well as the innovations and evolving talents of students, freelancers, and reporters working across media platforms or collaboratively.”
Call for entries
Beginning October 5, the 2022 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism are open and accepting entries published or aired between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.
Dates
Early-bird entry deadline: Dec. 15, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
Regular entry deadline: Jan. 5, 2023, 5 p.m. ET
Please note, the entry deadlines are final and there will be no extensions provided.
Entry fees
– AHCJ member early bird: $30 per entry
– Non-member early bird: $55 per entry
– AHCJ members, regular: $50 per entry
– Non-members, regular: $75 per entry
Student category
– AHCJ member early bird: $15 per entry
– Non-member early bird: $25 per entry
– AHCJ members, regular: $25 per entry
– Non-members, regular: $35 per entry
To claim the member entry fee, you must be a current AHCJ member. A team entry may claim the member fee if at least one member of the team is a member of AHCJ. If you're not certain about membership status, call 573-884-5606 or email info@healthjournalism.org.
Not an AHCJ member? Now's the perfect time to join. Join today and save on your entry fee for each entry.
Winners
First-place winners receive $500 and a framed certificate, as well as complimentary lodging for two nights and registration for AHCJ’s annual conference, where winners will be recognized during the conference awards luncheon.
If there is more than one entrant on the award, it is up to these winners to divide any prize. Lodging and conference registration will only be covered for one individual in each category.
Award categories
Audio Reporting (large division and small division)
This category recognizes outstanding audio reporting on a health news event, topic, or issue. Applicants may submit a single piece or a selection of related pieces (up to 5) of work produced for radio or podcasts, or both. Audio stories are still accepted in other contest categories.
Beat Reporting (all sizes)
An individual award for outstanding beat coverage aimed at showcasing the breadth and depth of the work. Judges will be looking for entries that include stories on a wide range of topics. Entrants should explain the beat on the questionnaire and may submit up to five stories, carrying a single byline. Only one story may be from a series. The same stories may also be submitted in other categories.
Health Policy (large and small division)
Stories that explore access to health care, medical quality and costs, as well as decisions about health care made by government, employers and other stakeholders
Public Health (large and small division)
Stories that deal with health – often of a large population – rather than specific medical research or a specific individual.
Trade (all sizes)
Articles from publications catering exclusively or primarily to specific groups, such as healthcare professionals, advocacy groups or organizations. Trade stories can also be entered in other categories, following rules on circulation size in those categories divided by size.
Business (all sizes)
Stories that explore where money and medicine intersect.
Investigative (large division and small division)
Stories that shed light on things the public should know, but government, private industry or others would rather remain secret
Consumer/Feature (large division and small division)
Stories that delve into difficult issues regarding illnesses, diseases, procedures or tests, as well as stories with a strong news-you-can- use focus.
Student Reporting
Entries to the student category must have been produced by students in undergraduate or graduate programs for class, a student-led publication, or a university-based outlet. If later published or broadcast by a professional outlet, the work should first have been done for a class, a student-led publication, or a university-based outlet. Students who are freelancing or interning or employed at professional outlets should enter that work in professional categories.
Category Sizes
Categories applying to "all sizes" will seek the best work in that topic category regardless of size.
Categories referring to "large division and small division" will judge work in that topic category against work from similar-sized newsrooms. Those size divisions are:
Large:
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Newspapers above 100,000 circulation and their affiliated websites
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Network or syndicated TV and radio
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Local TV and radio in top 50 markets, for all categories except Audio Reporting. For Audio Reporting category, “Small” applies to work edited and distributed by local radio stations, in a regional radio network, or by independent freelancers.
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National and regional online outlets, including blogs
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Magazines above 500,000 circulation
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Trade newsletters above 35,000 circulation
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National or regional wire services
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Any collaboration between large and small outlets
Small:
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Newspapers below 100,000 and their affiliated websites
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Local TV and radio in below-top-50 markets, for all categories except Audio Reporting. For Audio Reporting category, “Small” applies to work edited and distributed by local radio stations, in a regional radio network, or by independent freelancers.
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Locally focused online outlets, including blogs
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Magazines below 500,000 circulation
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Trade newsletters below 35,000 circulation
Applicants employed by large category outlets need to enter in the large category even if the entered work appears in a smaller outlet affiliated with the employer.