1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Illness' Missing Link by Laurie Tarkan
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
January-February 2010 issue of VIV magazine
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Chronic inflammation is associated with an abundance of fat cells in the belly. Irritants spewed out by fat cells drive white blood cells and inflammatory chemicals to stay in high gear. This can trigger autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimers. By cutting back on sugar, keeping weight down and exercising regularly, women can avoid chronic inflammation and its consequences.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Two articles from the New England Journal of Medicine and an NIH Executive Summary of Inflammation and Cancer Think Tank
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Peter Libby, M.D., Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital Maria Carillo, Ph.D., Senior Director of Medical and Scientific Relations at the Alzheimer's Association Gökhan S. Hotamisligil, M.D., Chair of Genetics and Complex Diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health
6. Results (if any).
None
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Since our magazine is targeted for women, age 35 , the story focused on the fact that women tend to gain weight around their middle as they age, which triggers this chronic inflammation. When considering a topic for a women's magazine, ask experts how women in particular are affected and what they can do for their health. Considerations are often different for women than for men.