More than 500 journalists and people interested in health care gathered in midtown New York City for the opening of Health Journalism 2024 on Friday, June 7, with more than 375 organizations represented. More than 750 people were expected to attend the conference throughout the weekend.
On Thursday, more than 100 participants traveled throughout the city on three, uniquely themed field trips. One group visited several alternative and community-based health care facilities; another toured nationally recognized food insecurity sites; a third joined the city’s Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi on a “rat safari” that focused on the challenges of rodent mitigation in New York.
Chrisaleen Ciro, the food justice coordinator for the Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project, talks to participants at the 4,000-square-foot rooftop garden at Metro Baptist Church in Midtown Manhattan. (Photo by Zachary Linhares)
An OnPoint NYC employee holds a dose of the overdose reversal drug naloxone, which can be used in emergencies at the facility’s overdose prevention center. (Photo by Kevin Ridder)
NYC Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi shows AHCJ field trip attendees evidence of rats near an outdoor dining structure in midtown. Corradi led 20 journalists on a “rat safari” around Manhattan. (Photo by Kelsey Ryan)
NYC Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi points out rat burrows in a park. Parks provide ideal habitats for rats who love soil. (Photo by Kelsey Ryan)
For the first time ever, this year’s event offers a variety of session types including panels, lighting talks, fishbowls, book talks, featured speaker events, workshops and keynotes. More than 70 sessions were scheduled for the 2.5-day event.
“This year’s conference is more than just a gathering of journalists — it’s an exploration of stories and ideas that will shape tomorrow’s headlines,” AHCJ Executive Director Kelsey Ryan said.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., addresses attendees during HJ24’s plenary session. (Photo by Zachary Linhares)
NBC News Senior Reporter Brandy Zadrozny speaks with CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., and NYC Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, M.D., Ph.D., during HJ24’s plenary session.(Photo by Zachary Linhares)
Here are a few highlights from day one of sessions:
- In a timely plenary session moderated by NBC News Senior Reporter Brandy Zadrozny, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Dr. Ashwin Vasan, discussed the challenges of public health communications. “Investment into communications needs to become central to what we do and not an afterthought,” Vasan said. “There isn’t a platform that we shouldn’t be on.”Vasan and Cohen also offered insight into the critical need to restore public trust in health institutions. “The thing that holds us back is making sure we are resourced appropriately. We often are not resourced for those core capabilities. Finally, Cohen acknowledged the crucial role journalists play in what she called “team health.” She said: “Thank you for being that critical partner … We need to be winning hearts, not just minds. Help us win hearts and minds as we do this work together.”
- During PitchFest, a conference favorite, nearly 100 journalists pitched their story ideas to 27 editors, including from The New York Times, Scientific American, Science and AARP.
- AHCJ President Felice Freyer moderated a Q & A with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina about the origin of her popular newsletter. Jetelina also discussed journalists’ role in combating misinformation, how to improve the public’s understanding of science, what journalists need to know about the next pandemic, among other topics.
- During the first-timers gathering, AHCJ Board members and other seasoned conference attendees welcomed new Health Journalism attendees. They also discussed conference highlights with newbies and offered insider tips on navigating sessions and networking opportunities.
This year’s conference is hosted by The Commonwealth Fund, Mount Sinai, the NY Health Foundation and The John A. Hartford Foundation. The endowing sponsor is The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Here’s the full list of sponsors.
Please stay tuned on our social media platforms and the conference app, Whova for important information and updates throughout the weekend.
