Covering wellness … well
By Jess Keairns/University of Minnesota AHCJ Intern
A panel at HJ26 highlighted the growing influence of the wellness industry and the challenges it presents for journalists. Speakers agreed that coverage often relies on trends or small, unreplicated studies.They urged journalists to apply scientific practices (see below) to their reporting so audiences can make informed decisions.
The panelists also shared practical advice for improving wellness coverage.
When researching
- Read the whole study and learn to evaluate the study’s quality. Examine the study methods, sample size, funding sources, limitations and whether the findings have been replicated. Dr. Jen Caudle, associate professor of family medicine at Rowan University, said “People hear ‘study’ all the time and they assume that means it’s sound. Sometimes we have to explain why that’s not the case.”
- Talk to the right expert and develop a network. Find specialists who actively research the subject matter and keep in contact with the experts you trust, not just when you’re on a deadline.
- Investigate funding sources. Ask who funded the study, who funds the experts you interview and if the experts are selling a product. Be cautious.
Many toxicologists are very irritated when there’s some sort of new study about some dangerous skin care product and we’ll go to a dermatologist instead of a toxicologist, because a dermatologist doesn’t necessarily have that experience with research.
Rachel Gutman-Wei
Senior editor
The Atlantic
When writing
- Put what’s most important near the top. Many people only see the headlines or the first few paragraphs. Rina Raphael, independent journalist and author of “The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop and the False Promise of Self-Care,” said, “People generally only read the headline. So you have all these headlines like ‘Do you really need sunscreen?’ and the answer is in the last paragraph.”
- Be specific about study limitations. If the study was only done with 12 people or on rats, then mention that explicitly.
Independent journalist Rina Raphael speaks at HJ26. Photo by Zachary Linhares
Moderator for the panel “Covering wellness … well” Meryl Davids Landau at HJ26. Photo by Zachary Linhares
The panel “Covering wellness … well” at HJ26. Photo by Zachary Linhares
When selecting topics
- Don’t amplify every viral health claim. Not every trend deserves coverage and some can do more harm than good, so be selective about what you cover. According to Dr. Caudle, “After COVID, people won’t take statins, they won’t take metformin, they won’t take vaccines. I’ve never seen so much misinformation in the office.”
- Focus on broader patterns. Don’t debunk one supplement at a time, instead focus on how wellness marketing works, why certain claims spread and recurring misinformation tactics. “We tend not to run straightforward debunkings. When we are deciding what trends to look into, usually it’s something that reveals something broader about culture.” Gutman-Wei said when asked what The Atlantic typically looks for in Wellness stories.
When interviewing
- Be curious about why the people following trends believe they work. Ask how they heard about this, what appealed to them and what problem they were trying to solve. “It’s not enough to say they’re wrong. It’s understanding people. I do believe people want to do what’s best for their health.” Raphael added.
- Understand the emotional appeal. Many wellness trends connect to stress, chronic illness, parenting concerns, feeling dismissed by healthcare workers and a desire for control.
Jess Keairns is a journalism student based in Minneapolis, Minn.
