Update: For those of you who were selected as fellows for Health Journalism 2020, we will honor those fellowships for Health Journalism 2021 and there is no need to re-apply.
We will be in touch with fellows as the conference date approaches.
In the meantime, please send us your ideas for topics to cover, speakers to invite and other activities you’d like to see at the conference. The link to the suggestion form is on the main conference page. In this issue, we highlight some of our best advice and resources for covering the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, from keeping nursing home residents safe to debunking conspiracy theories (and doesn’t it seem as if there’s a new one each week?) AHCJ is trying to work with the conference hotel, the JW Marriott in Austin, to determine if there is another set of dates later in the year that might work. “This was a difficult decision,” said Executive Director Len Bruzzese. “The acceleration of the virus reach and an increase in state of emergency declarations across the country meant more and more attendees and speakers could not – or should not – travel. AHCJ did not want to be in a position of placing people in danger.” Continue reading Health Journalism 2020, the annual conference of the Association of Health Care Journalists, will take place in Austin, Texas, AHCJ has announced. The conference, which draws attendees from across the United States and several other countries, is slated for April 30-May 3, 2020, at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. Local sponsors include the University of Texas Dell Medical School, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and the St. David’s Foundation. Photo: Frankieleon via Flickr One question Julie Appleby posed to a panel she moderated on the high cost of prescription drugs was simple enough: Do drug pricing reform efforts promise consumer relief? The answer from three experts Appleby assembled for a panel discussion at Health Journalism 2019 this month in Baltimore was that, yes, efforts in Congress could provide some relief and those efforts have bipartisan support. But, as with any pending legislation, the details in the final bills will matter. Also, of course, any bill needs to pass both houses and then President Trump would need to sign it. Continue reading By Alvesgaspar – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, LinkReporter David Abel was denied access to talk to the Massachusetts state ornithologist about barn swallows. David Abel had had enough. The Boston Globe’s environmental writer was used to being denied interviews with state scientists and officials. But this latest refusal from the administration of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker was just too absurd. Abel had been forbidden to speak with the state ornithologist. (Yes, this is Massachusetts, we have such an official.) His topic was not politically sensitive. Continue reading
Hefty issue of HealthBeat headed for mailboxes
The latest issue of HealthBeat is expected to be delivered to members of the Association of Health Care Journalists any day now.
AHCJ cancels next month’s annual conference
Due to safety concerns and travel limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual conference of the Association of Health Care Journalists has been canceled. Health Journalism 2020 was originally scheduled for April 30-May 3.
AHCJ selects Austin for Health Journalism 2020
Panel hears how drug price reform efforts could work – or not
A reporter went public when denied an interview. Here’s what happened next …
