June 7, 2023

Are you having a hard time getting government records? Or local health department data? Our Right to Know Committee is here to help.

The right to know is a concept that underpins all journalism, and nowhere is it more important than in health care and medicine. Patients have a right to know what will keep them healthy and what will make them sick. The public has a right to know how effectively their government protects and serves those who depend on it. For health care journalists that means heavy responsibilities – and sometimes daunting challenges. Through our committee, AHCJ advocates for openness and provides resources for members striving to shed light on complex topics.

Visit AHCJ's Right To Know page and get your questions answered on HIPAA, FOIA and other First Amendment concerns while learning about AHCJ's latest advocacy efforts.

Now Hiring: Environmental HealthBeat leader

We’re seeking a reporter with a strong interest in environmental health to join our team of HealthBeat leaders. These freelancers focus on helping AHCJ’s members do better journalism and share resources, tips and terms that deepen our members’ understanding of timely and important subjects. Continue reading →

What We're Reading

A catatonic woman awakened after 20 years. Her story may change psychiatry (Richard Sima for Washington Post)

No One Knows How Many L.G.B.T.Q. Americans Die by Suicide (Azeen Ghorayshi for The New York Times)

AI in medicine needs to be carefully deployed to counter bias – and not entrench it (Ryan Levi, Dan Gorenstein for Tradeoffs and NPR)

As Fewer MDs Practice Rural Primary Care, a Different Type of Doctor Helps Take Up the Slack (Tony Leys for KFF Health News)

Upcoming Events

June 14: AHCJ Webinar - Why our food supply still isn't safe, 12 p.m. ET

Health hazards from tainted meat, produce and other foods are an ongoing national problem, underscored by last year’s unprecedented infant formula recall. Bill Marler, food safety lawyer and publisher of Food Safety News, will look at why it's so hard to keep the food supply safe, what the federal government should be doing about it and story ideas for national and local reporters — just in time for summer — that will keep the focus on ensuring the safety of the food we eat.

July 14: How journalists can put ChatGPT to good use, 1 p.m. ET

The artificial intelligence program ChatGPT has made headlines for its ability to create prose (and headlines), but how does it work? How are journalists using it? And what are the potential problems and ethical pitfalls? In this webinar, Alex Mahadevan, director of the Poynter Institute's MediaWise digital media literacy program, will take ChatGPT for a spin, discuss what he's learned about the new technology and answer your questions.

Career Development / Sponsored Content

Freelance Health Reporter for Epicenter-NYC

Freelance Position Date posted: 06/02/23

Epicenter-NYC, a community journalism multiplatform initiative, seeks a freelance reporter devoted to ongoing health equity issues in and around New York City. Continue reading →

Journalists in Aging Fellows Program

Fellowships, Internships & Training Date posted: 06/06/23

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and Journalists Network on Generations are welcoming applications for the next class of the Journalists in Aging Fellows Program. The submission deadline is Friday, July 14. Continue reading →

Member News

Jennifer Fink, author and independent journalist (@jlwf), had her second book, Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World that Misunderstands Males, published by Rowman & Littlefield in April 2023.

Harriet Hodgson, author and independent journalist, wrote her 45th book, Winning: A Story of Grief and Renewal, following the death of her husband. The book is dedicated to him and each chapter focuses on a different aspect of grief, such as grief brain. The book is in the final stage of production and slated for Sept. 19th release.