1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Beat reporting by Liz Szabo.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Down syndrome, parts 1 and 2, March 21, 2010
Pinkwashing, October 5, 2010
Vaccines, January 6, 2010
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Down syndrome, parts 1 and 2: This is a science and society piece. For the first time in history, people with Down syndrome are surviving into old age. That can pose significant problems for their parents, who are still providing daily caregiving at an age when their friends are enjoying retirement. But as they age, these genetically distinct adults are also teaching doctors more about the genetic roots of diseases such as Alzheimer's, which is nearly universal in older Down syndrome patients, as well as solid tumors and heart disease, which are virtually non-existent.
Pinkwashing: This is a straight-up enterprise/expose on alcohol manufacturers who are attempting to "pink wash" their images by marketing pink wines and lemonades during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in spite of the fact that alcohol is a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Vaccines: Another science and society piece. What is the human cost of the recent anti-vaccine hysteria? The mothers of three children who suffered and even died from vaccine-preventable diseases speak out.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Medical journals, personal interviews.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Interviews with families, victims.
6. Results (if any).
Greater awareness of the cost of refusing vaccines, as well as the "pink washing" issue.
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 corrections.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
When you cover breaking news and journal articles, think about opportunities to find real people affected by those issues.