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Tip sheetsJournalists and experts have written about covering issues around health equity and presented discussions on the topic at AHCJ conferences and workshops. This is a collection of the most useful and relevant tips. Click the title of the tip sheet that interests you and you will be asked to login because these are available exclusively to AHCJ members. Featured tip sheetClimate change and health equity Climate change is one of the biggest public health threats today, particularly when it comes to health inequities or preventable differences in health outcomes caused by systemic, avoidable, and unjust social and economic policies and systems. While climate change is a global phenomenon, the consequences impact places, people and communities at the local level. Low wealth communities and communities of color across the country suffer a substantially higher burden. Climate change exacerbates these health risks and inequalities for some people and communities. Health inequities arise largely as a result of the social determinants such as economics, the distribution of money, power, social policies and politics at every level. In turn, these determinants mold our health behaviors and health outcomes.
Look for additional tip sheets based on subject:AgingResources for reporting on the health care needs of older LGBT adults
In this tip sheet, Eileen Beal explains why and shows how that means there’s more demand than ever before to better cover the health and care needs of what until recently had been a “marginalized minority.” She also offers a number of specific story ideas and an extensive source list - with contact information. Mental health needs of aging prisoners is a fruitful area for coverage November 2016 While the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics has been tracking that surge, it has not tallied the prevalence of mental illness among prisoners who are aging. Moreover, aging persons — imprisoned or not — are at greater risk for certain mental illnesses. A comparatively small coterie of university researchers, alongside physicians and others providing care for those behind bars, say older inmates’ mental illnesses run the gamut. These researchers and clinicians have begun, even if incrementally, to try to empirically measure mental health problems among aging inmates, adding, they say, to what is a relatively small body of research about this group of individuals. Resources for reporting on the dental health crisis among poor adults
May 2016 More than one third of poor elders have lost all their teeth – compared with 16 percent of those with incomes at or above 200 percent of the FPL. These and other facts come as reminders that poor oral health places a disproportionate burden upon poor adults in the United States, the nonpartisan Medicaid and CHIP Access and Payment Commission concluded in a report to Congress on the status of adult Medicaid benefits around the country. Diversity in aging: Putting gray in the rainbow May 2012 Built environmentsGoing Upstream: Tips for Finding Health Stories in the Built Environment August 2013 Climate changeClimate change and health equity October 2021 Community developmentHousing and Health: Finding Stories and Getting the Reporting Right
August 2014 Sandel is an associate professor at the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health and former pediatric medical director of Boston’s Healthcare for the Homeless program. She co-authored the first national report on housing and child health and has worked with public health authorities to create links between housing inspection offices and the health care system. Community development and health October 2013 November 2013 DataHere’s how to mine census data to better cover the health-gap story November 2016 The bureau’s American Fact Finder tool lets users search for a specific set of characteristics for a particular community such as housing, income, poverty and race. It also offers various maps, charts and other visual data. Drug useCovering STDs: What reporters need to know
The reasons for the increases are multi-faceted. They include decreased public health funding, lack of understanding about how STDs spread, social stigma, less access to health care and fewer health provider screenings. Social determinants also play a role in which populations are more at risk of exposure to an STD and whether they get treatment. Further, the opioid epidemic has been associated with increase in STDs among pregnant women, said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors during a Nov. 1 AHCJ webcast. Learn more about the increase, story ideas, sources and experts to tap into for your reporting. How to leverage social media to cover the opioid epidemic in small-town America October 2017 Don’t trust Facebook? Well, in a county of about 70,000 residents, news travels fast. And it travels on social media. To cover something as taboo as opioid addiction in small-town America, you must leverage social media. Wolford shares some tips on how to manage your social identity (mostly through Facebook), and other ways to become a “go to” resource for your area. Behind Washington’s promises to tackle opioid abuse
In this timely tip sheet, AHCJ member Alicia Ault offers colleagues some tips to covering the growing national issue. She includes background on the issue, as well as what legislators, the White House and other government institutions are doing and story ideas for reporters to pursue. Ideas for covering the impact of drug abuse on pregnant women  December 2015 DisparitiesCoronavirus pandemic highlights disparities in health insurance and health care December 2020 But for non-white Americans, this good news is only part of the story because Blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, and other people of color may be reluctant to get the vaccine, as Glenn Howatt reported for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Howatt’s article is just one example of how journalists localize the national story about the vaccine for COVID-19. Also, it’s an excellent example of why people of color are reluctant to get the vaccine. Such reluctance is born of widespread disparities in the health insurance and health care systems in the United States. Amid upheaval, a Black mental health crisis and surge in requests for care
While there’s no firm data on the number of seekers, clinicians say they have plenty of anecdotal evidence. That uptick in Black patients represents a chipping away at many Blacks’ long-held stigmas against securing mental health care. Their doubts, in part, have been grounded in a belief that personal resilience — built up since slavery — will carry them through a mental health crisis. That uptick is spotlighting anew the nation’s longstanding shortage of Black psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers. It also has ramped up questions of how well-prepared White clinicians, filling in gaps in a mental health workforce, are to handle Black patients. When covering disparities in maternal mortality among black women, consider payment reform
Many health journalists who cover health disparities and women’s health issues have covered disparities in infant mortality, yet we don’t often do a deep dive into what happens to the survival of women of color during pregnancy, delivery and the year after giving birth. The awareness of the disparities in pregnancy-related deaths for black women is bringing about change at the policy and legislative levels. Andrea King Collier has some suggestions for how to cover these changes. Debunking claims that immigrants bring infectious diseases to U.S. December 2018 That is because virtually every public health expert says there isn’t any evidence that this is the case. Learn more about how our public health system works to keep infectious diseases from entering the country and get resources to debunk this link between immigration and infectious diseases, here are some experts on the topic and links to recent stories. Issues to consider when reporting on oral health during pregnancy
“Evidence suggests that most infants and young children acquire caries-causing bacteria from their mothers,” said the authors of report sponsored by the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University. Learn more about the benefits of good oral health during pregnancy and the obstacles that many women face in obtaining care. Reporting on food insecurity and older adults
Food insecurity is not just worrying about getting the next meal. It is a strong predictor of chronic disease and diabetes, heart disease, stroke and lung disease, say the experts at Meals on Wheels America. Older adults already have higher health care costs and take more medications compared with the rest of the population; these economic realities really squeeze low-income older adults. In addition to worsening physical health problems, poor nutrition can also contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Tips for covering poverty and geography
Policymakers and politicians are taking note, but with such a complex topic, how can journalists make a difference? Three recent reports help explain the numbers and show where the discrepancies lie. Carolyn Crist outlines the reports and then some questions and issues for reporters to look into. Resources for tracking geographic disparities in organ transplants
I explored geographic disparities in access to kidney and liver transplants in May in the first part of an ongoing series, “Living On: Improving The Odds of Organ Transplants,” supported by an AHCJ Fellowship on Health Care Performance. As the interactive map with the series shows, the median wait time for a kidney transplant is more than six years in much of Texas and Pennsylvania but less than 18 months in Mississippi and Nevada. Finding sourcesNeed a certain type of patient to add life to your story? Here are some tips
Lisa Esposito shares some tips about how she goes about finding patients whose stories she can tell, including ways to find patients among certain ethnic, gender and age groups such as African-Americans or seniors. Health and nutrition policyIssues to consider when reporting on oral health during pregnancy
“Evidence suggests that most infants and young children acquire caries-causing bacteria from their mothers,” said the authors of report sponsored by the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University. Learn more about the benefits of good oral health during pregnancy and the obstacles that many women face in obtaining care. A road map for exploring the crossroads of nutrition and health
July 2016 Oral health predicts whole body health, and is one of the 12 leading indicators for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 initiative. Research aimed at gaining a fuller understanding of the relationships between oral and systemic diseases and conditions continues. The World Health Organization emphasizes the role diet and nutrition play in oral health, including its influence on craniofacial development, risk of oral infections, cancer and dental and periodontal disease. Nutritionist and writer Melinda Hemmelgarn offers some things that journalists should know to raise awareness of risk, lead consumers to care and promote the critical role of diet and nutrition in protecting oral health. Supporting Americans’ efforts to eat well and watch their weight April 2014 Wootan has coordinated and led efforts to require calorie labeling at fast-food and other chain restaurants, require trans fat labeling on packaged foods, improve school foods, reduce junk-food marketing aimed at children, and expand the nutrition and physical activity program at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has a doctorate in nutrition from Harvard University's School of Public Health. Health Policy Brief: Health Gaps August 2013 Health promotionAvoiding the ‘Trinity Trap’ when reporting on health promotion
April 2014 Why is it that, when we talk about health promotion, we still get stuck talking about the "Trinity Trap" of smoking, diet and exercise when we know that social factors have the biggest influence on health outcomes? Family doctor and medical professor Ryan Meili discusses the importance of understanding the social determinants of health. MedicaidUnderstanding how health advocates, legislators are wrestling with Medicaid work requirements
March 2018 The Department of Health and Human Services’ recent green light for work requirements, drug tests, premiums and other policies rejected by previous administrations is attracting the interest of states that already expanded Medicaid and are now looking to tighten restrictions on the program, as well as states that never expanded Medicaid in the first place. But for states looking to implement the newly-allowed restrictions, many difficult questions lie ahead. Here’s a guide to understanding some of the economic and ideological battles playing out in the states. Is Medicaid managed care coming to your state? Keep these coverage tips in mind
Although research is mixed about whether managed care saves money for states, programs have exploded nationwide because health plans typically are paid a fixed amount per enrollee, which helps states predict their costs for the year. This is an important story to follow in your state. Kristen Schorsch explains six things to pay attention to. Mental healthAmid upheaval, a Black mental health crisis and surge in requests for care
While there’s no firm data on the number of seekers, clinicians say they have plenty of anecdotal evidence. That uptick in Black patients represents a chipping away at many Blacks’ long-held stigmas against securing mental health care. Their doubts, in part, have been grounded in a belief that personal resilience — built up since slavery — will carry them through a mental health crisis. That uptick is spotlighting anew the nation’s longstanding shortage of Black psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers. It also has ramped up questions of how well-prepared White clinicians, filling in gaps in a mental health workforce, are to handle Black patients. Sexual orientationCareful language important when reporting on transgender health issues November 2018 Tara Haelle provides a quick guide to terms you need to be familiar with, along with a link to a more extensive guide. Resources for reporting on the health care needs of older LGBT adults
In this tip sheet, Eileen Beal explains why and shows how that means there’s more demand than ever before to better cover the health and care needs of what until recently had been a “marginalized minority.” She also offers a number of specific story ideas and an extensive source list - with contact information. Keep these things in mind when writing about LGBT health coverage
What’s somewhat unique about the LGBT community is that it spans all other populations, like those based on race or social and economic status. Despite the acronym, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people also all face different health care barriers and needs. As the United States increases legal protections for LGBT individuals, it’s crucial that reporting on emerging health care issues and medical evidence is sound. Covering the special health issues that LGBT seniors face
January 2016 LGBT seniors increasingly are living out of the closet, yet remain largely invisible in government statistics. Few national health surveys include questions about sexual orientation or gender identity, leaving researchers to only guess at the true size of the nation’s LGBT older adult population. In this tip sheet, Matthew S. Bajko explains some of the unique health issues that LGBT seniors face, such as social isolation and housing issues. He also offers stories ideas, contact information for sources and some relevant research. Things to consider when reporting on the health of LGBT – and ‘Q’ – youths
In this tip sheet, Lawrence D’Angelo, M.D., M.P.H., division chief of adolescent and young adult medicine at Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C and director of the Youth Pride Clinic at Children’s, offers some advice on talking with LGBTQ youth, some of the special health and privacy concerns they face and resources for journalists. Rural healthWealth of ideas for covering rural health issues from AHCJ conference June 2015 For those already covering rural health, it provided some new angles and expertise for future stories. For reporters new to the beat, the workshop provided a wide view of issues particular to the health of those living outside urban America. January 2012 TraumaResources for covering how adverse childhood experiences affects people's lives
July 2017 For those just getting started in looking at the issue, AHCJ member Janice Lynch Schuster pulled together some basic tips on covering it, drawn in part from an event hosted by the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy organization based in Washington, D.C. as well as a panel at Health Journalism 2017. Some advice when interviewing victims of mental or other trauma
Journalists are not immune from the experience of interviewing victims, and may be unsure how to manage their own emotions and response. Here are some tips for health journalists when interviewing people who have experienced one or more traumatic events. STDsCovering STDs: What reporters need to know
The reasons for the increases are multi-faceted. They include decreased public health funding, lack of understanding about how STDs spread, social stigma, less access to health care and fewer health provider screenings. Social determinants also play a role in which populations are more at risk of exposure to an STD and whether they get treatment. Further, the opioid epidemic has been associated with increase in STDs among pregnant women, said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors during a Nov. 1 AHCJ webcast. Learn more about the increase, story ideas, sources and experts to tap into for your reporting. Getting up to speed on the latest news on HIV December 2017 Here she shares what you need to know getting started covering the new science of HIV. Neutral and accurate: Covering HIV in the modern era
See what they are and how to improve your coverage of this important topic. |
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