Tip Sheets

Oral health - starting points Posted: 05/08/08

Tip sheet from Eric Eyre of The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette from the panel "Status of oral and visual health in rural America" at the Rural Health Journalism Conference in May 2008.

Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Posted: 05/08/08

Survivors of the cyclone in Myanmar, where as many as 100,000 people may have died, will continue to face many health-related challenges. Similar to the survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, people in Myanmar could be susceptible to diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, malaria, dengue and yellow fever. AHCJ has gathered resources about the Myanmar situation as well as articles and resources about the health effects of the 2004 tsunami.

Bringing international stories home Posted: 05/07/08

Information from the panel "Bringing international stories home: How to develop, report and write overseas stories that resonate with local readers" at the "Covering Global Health - A Primer for Journalists" event in Seattle, May 2 & 3, 2008.

Health Care Costs 101 Posted: 04/30/08

Presentation from Paul Ginsburg, Ph.D., president, Center for Health System Change, on the "Economics of health 101" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

AHRQ’s Health IT Program Posted: 04/30/08

Presentation from P. Jon White, M.D., health IT director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, on the "Interpreting health information technology for reporters" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Connecting to Better Health Care Posted: 04/30/08

Presentation from Secretary Michael Leavitt, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, during his press briefing at Health Journalism 2008.

Writing health stories with impact Posted: 04/30/08

Tip sheet from Deborah Potter, executive director, NewsLab, in the "Making broadcast stories sizzle" session at Health Journalism 2008.

Expanding the donor supply Posted: 04/30/08

Tip sheet from Scott D. Halpern, M.D., Ph.D., instructor, pulmonary & critical care medicine senior fellow, Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, on the "Current controversies in transplantation" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Medical Tourism Takes Flight: International Medical Care is Now an Option for Employers Posted: 04/30/08

Presentation from David Boucher, assistant vice president for health care services, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, on the "Medical tourism: trend or aberration" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Justice for all Posted: 04/29/08

Tip sheet from Mary Kay Henry, international executive vice president, Service Employees International Union, on the "Future of employee health benefits" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Bariatric surgery: Resources and story ideas for reporters Posted: 04/24/08

Robyn Shelton of the Orlando Sentinel recently wrote a series about bariatric surgery – also known as weight-loss surgery. She looked at the increase in such surgery, complications and concerns, the discrepancy in quality between hospitals performing the surgery, the insurance industry's reluctance to cover bariatric surgery and the increasingly popular gastric banding. Shelton shares her sources and some story ideas with AHCJ members in this tip sheet and AHCJ provides additional resources on the subject.

Commenting on "No Comment" Posted: 04/21/08

Tip sheet from Eric T. Rosenthal, special correspondent, Oncology Times, on the "Getting quotes despite government refusals to comment" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Private Health Insurance 101 Posted: 04/21/08

Presentation from Paul Fronstin, senior research associate, Employee Benefit Research Institute, on the "Economics of health 101" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Medical tourism: Trend or aberration Posted: 04/18/08

Presentations and tip sheets from Wouter Hoeberechts, chief executive officer, WorldMed Assist, on the "Medical tourism: trend or aberration" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Primary health care in the Netherlands Posted: 04/18/08

Two presentations from Paul Thewissen, counselor, Health, Welfare & Sport at the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, D.C., on the "What health systems of other developed nations can teach us" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Tips for Covering Capitol Hill Posted: 04/18/08

Tip sheet from Jill Gerber, press secretary, Committee on Finance, Ranking Member Sen. Grassley, on the "Tapping the best of Washington from outside the Beltway" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

The French national health insurance system Posted: 04/18/08

Tip sheet from Victor Rodwin, Ph.D., professor of health policy and management, New York University, on the "What health systems of other developed nations can teach us" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Which way health reform? Posted: 04/18/08

Presentation from Karen Davis, president, The Commonwealth Fund, on the "Election 2008: Which way health reform?" roundtable at Health Journalism 2008.

Ripping the cover off hospital finances Posted: 04/18/08

Presentation from Gita Budd, principal, ECG Management Consultants, on the "Ripping the cover off hospital finances" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

The medical system's looming military-related demands Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from Jose Ramos, veteran, President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, on the "The medical system's looming military-related demands" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Immunization: Making it Work Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from Melinda Wharton, M.D., M.P.H., Centers for Disease Control, on the "Clinical research into vaccines for cancer and other diseases" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Benefits of Writing for Trades Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from David Bronstein, editorial director, Hospital Group, McMahon Publishing, on the "Freelance: finding success through the trades" panel at Health Journalism 2008. 

International Medical News Group Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from Mary Jo Dales, editorial director, International Medical News Group, on the "Freelance: finding success through the trades" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Inside consumer-directed care Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from Jim Gutman, vice president and executive editor, Atlantic Information Services Inc., on the "Medical tourism: trend or aberration" panel at Health Journalism 2008. (PDF, 153)

Life After Cancer: Survivorship Planning Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from Priscilla A. Furth, M.D., professor. Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, on the "Life after cancer: survivorship planning" panel at Health Journalism 2008. (PDF, 113)

New Science Behind Obesity: What happens when our fat gets stressed? Posted: 04/09/08

Presentation from Zofia Zukowska, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Physiology & Biophysics; director, Stress Physiology and Research Center; Georgetown University Medical Center, on the "Obesity interventions: science, policy, environment" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Traumatic Brain Injury: impact, mechanism, therapeutic opportunities Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Alan I. Faden, M.D., professor of neuroscience, neurology and pharmacology, Georgetown University Medical Center, on the "Medical system's looming military-related demands" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

GIS for Health Organizations Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Chris Kinabrew, M.P.H., M.S.W., public health specialist, ESRI Inc., at the special workshop on mapping health at Health Journalism 2008.

Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Ann Peters, development director, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, on the "Bringing home the globe: pitching and covering international health stories" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Why Public Reporting is Critical to Eliminate Health Care Associated Infections Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Chesley Richards, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director, Division of Health Care Quality Promotion, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the "Mandatory reporting of health care infections: why or why not?" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

New Research and Compelling Economic Data in Support of Infection Prevention Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., CEO and chair, Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, on the "Mandatory reporting of health care infections: why or why not?" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Medicare and Medicaid 101 Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Gail Wilensky, Ph.D., senior fellow, Project Hope, on the "Economics of Health 101" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Economics of Health 101 Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Joy Drass, M.D., president, Georgetown University Hospital, on the "Economics of Health 101" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

The NIH flat-funded: life one the ground level Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Peter Cariani, Ph.D., consultant, former NIH-funded researcher, on the "Flattening federal research funding: the local angle" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Research Training and Career Development Posted: 04/08/08

Presentation from Jane Scott, Sc.D., director, Office of Research Training and Career Development, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, on the "Flattening federal research funding: the local angle" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

The Science Supporting the Social Determinants of Health Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from A.H. Strelnick, director, Institute for Community & Collaborative Health, Montefiore Medical Center, on the "Community...the health story" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Exploring the sociological issues around breast cancer Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Vanessa Sheppard, Ph.D., assistant professor, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University at Health Journalism 2008.

Ten Comments on the Health Risks of and Public Health Responses to Climate Change Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Kristie Ebi, M.P.H., Ph.D., consultant, on the "Intersection of global climate change and health" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

You Can Run, but You Can't Hide: Policy and Problems in Long-Term Care Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Joshua M. Wiener, Ph.D., senior fellow and program director, Aging, Disability and Long-Term Care, RTI International, on the "How will retiring boomers affect the national health agenda?" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

How will retiring boomers affect the national health agenda? Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Daniel Perry, executive director, Alliance for Aging Research, on the "How will retiring boomers affect the national health agenda?" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Off-Label Promotion of Drugs: A Brief Overview Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from John S. McInnes, M.D., J.D., associate, Arnold & Porter, on the "Big pharma and medicine: understanding the relationship " panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Working Your Way Through the FDA Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Julie Zawisza, Ph.D., assistant commissioner for public affairs for the FDA, on the "Tapping the best of Washington from outside the Beltway" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Veterans Health Administration: Quality and Innovation Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Gerald Cross, M.D., principal deputy under secretary for health, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, on the "Medical system's looming military-related demands" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Prevention and Treatment of Obesity: Lessons from the Schools Posted: 04/07/08

Presentation from Gary D. Foster, PH.D., director, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, on the "Obesity intervention: science, policy, environment" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

Ethical Evolution of Living Donor Transplantation Posted: 04/02/08

Presentation from Lynt Johnson, M.D., chief, Division of Transplant Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, on the "Current controversies in transplantation" panel at Health Journalism 2008.

New transplant frontier: Small intestine Posted: 04/01/08

This presentation from Thomas Fishbein, M.D., Georgetown University Hospital, is from the Breakfast with the Experts session "New transplant frontier: Small intestine" at Health Journalism 2008. (PDF, 3.22 MB)

Violence and mental illness: 'Just the facts' on prevalence, prevention, and prediction Posted: 04/01/08

This presentation from Jeffrey Swanson, Ph.D., professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, is from the panel "Violence and mental illness: How strong is the link?" at Health Journalism 2008.

Nursing innovations: Bank Your Health at Home Program Outcomes Snapshot Posted: 04/01/08

This presentation by Connie Burgess, M.S., R.N., managing partner, Health InterConnexions, is from the panel "Efforts to improve health care through nursing innovations" at Health Journalism 2008.

Violence, Crime and the Mentally Ill: Myths and Truths Posted: 04/01/08

This presentation from E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., founder and president, Treatment Advocacy Center, is from the panel "Violence and mental illness: How strong is the link?" at Health Journalism 2008.

Cancer Screening: The Clash between Intuition and Science Posted: 04/01/08

This presentation from Barnett Kramer, M.D., director, Office of Disease Prevention, National Institutes of Health, is from the panel "Lies, damned lies and medical statistics: How to interpret the evidence" at Health Journalism 2008.

Programs that Improve the Mental Health of American Children, Teens & Parents Posted: 04/01/08

A presentation from Bernadette Melnyk, Ph.D., R.N., F.N.A.P., F.A.A.N., dean and distinguished foundation professor in nursing, Arizona State University, for the panel "Efforts to improve health care through nursing innovations" at Health Journalism 2008.

Teaching the public what to expect in a good doctor: Sir Donald Irvine Posted: 04/01/08

This presentation (PDF, 863 KB) is from Sir Donald Irvine, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.G.P., FMedSci, former president, General Medical Council, United Kingdom, from the panel "Teaching the public what to expect in a good doctor" at Health Journalism 2008.

Multimedia tools for telling stories: Shooting your own stories with a camcorder Posted: 04/01/08

Reporter/anchor Joy Robertson of KOLR-Springfield, Mo., shoots "Personal Portraits" using her small digital handheld recorder. She finds that shooting a story alone allows for a personal fly-on-the-wall touch, and the story subject tends to relax. Robertson says you can capture offbeat moments and remarks you might miss otherwise. She shares some tips on shooting with a handheld camera.

Tips for Web writing, headlines, blurbs Posted: 03/31/08

Amy Eisman of American University offers tips for writing for the Web.

Wading into multimedia Posted: 03/30/08

Resources for Multimedia tools for telling stories at Health Journalism 2008.

Covering health care in jails Posted: 01/22/08

Correctional health care is complex, costly and politicized. Many jails outsource medical operations to private companies, because they come in with the promise of streamlining services and controlling costs. Critics say the profit motive that drives these companies leads them to cut corners on inmate care to save money and keep their investors happy. Naseem S. Miller of the Ocala Star-Banner recently reported on deaths and complaints about health care in the local jails. She shares what she learned, including sources, with AHCJ members.

Covering nursing homes and other issues of aging Posted: 01/18/08

A compilation of links to stories, tip sheets, Web sites and other resources dealing with aging, nursing homes and assisted living.

Primer on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Posted: 01/10/08

Maryn McKenna, a freelance journalist and author and a contributing writer at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy who is writing a book on drug-resistant staph, prepared this comprehensive primer for AHCJ members. It covers the science and history of MRSA, as well as treatment, drug development and reporting legislation. McKenna includes a thorough bibliography.

Foster children and psychiatric drugs Posted: 01/03/08

Michelle Cole and Brent Walth of The Oregonian found that children in foster care are being placed on psychiatric drugs (or psychotropic drugs, as they’re often called) far more often than other kids. Many children in protective custody do face more serious mental health problems – they’ve either witnessed abuse and neglect, or have been victims themselves. But when the state plays the role of guardian, who makes the decision to put a child on a powerful psychiatric drug, and why? Cole and Walth share how they reported the story.

Focusing on the health effects of anabolic steroids Posted: 12/12/07

Former Sen. George Mitchell released the results of his investigation into steroid use in major league baseball - revealing the names of some high-profile athletes he alleges have used steroids. The highly anticipated report puts anabolic steroids in the headlines again. Be prepared to report on the health aspects of steroids with these resources.

Indentured doctors: Foreign-born doctors exploited by U.S. physicians Posted: 12/06/07

Marshall Allen of the Las Vegas Sun uncovered abuses of the J-1 visa waiver program, a system that allows foreign doctors to practice in the United States after they complete their residency - as long as they work in areas where there is a shortage of doctors. Allen explains the program and how other reporters can look into exploitation of the program in their own areas. The tip sheet includes Web links to help in reporting on the J-1 program.

Mapping prescription drug patterns: An illustrated tutorial Posted: 11/15/07

Frank Bass of The Associated Press offers a step-by-step explanation of how and where he got data and analyzed it to uncover an increase in the use of pain medication. The tutorial explains how Bass converted more than 3,000 pages from PDF to Excel spreadsheets, a readable format for analysis; imported the data into SAS statistical software; and used Arcview mapping software to visualize the spread of painkillers.

Covering mental health issues Posted: 11/08/07

Two just-released reports deal with mental health issues. One looks at mental health services for children; the other deals with psychological stress and substance abuse in veterans. AHCJ offers many resources on covering mental health issues - including tip sheets on adolescent mental health issues and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress.

New York State's School-Based Health Care Program Posted: 11/08/07

New York State's School-Based Health Care Program is made up of 196 School-based Centers (SBHCs). They provide comprehensive primary health and mental health services to over 200,000 underserved youth in rural, urban and suburban areas of the State. SBHCs provide free care to every child who enters their door. This is a handout from the panel "Covering children's access to care" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop in October 2007.

Looking closer at multicultural health Posted: 10/30/07

Sheree Crute, independent journalist in Brooklyn, N.Y., speaks about going beyond the statistics in multicultural health at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Mental Health in Prison Systems Posted: 10/30/07

Mary Beth Anderson, mental health attorney with The Legal Aid Society, speaks about the state of mental health care in jail and prison systems at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

The Homeless Mentally Ill Posted: 10/30/07

Jill Maddox, psychiatrist at the Center for Urban Community Services and the Project for Psychiatric Outreach to the Homeless, speaks about mental health issues in urban areas at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Health Disaster Planning Posted: 10/30/07

Brian Currie, senior medical director at the Montefiore Medical Center, speaks in the panel "How prepared is your city for a disaster" at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Age-Friendly Cities Posted: 10/30/07

Victor G. Rodwin, director of the World Cities Project of International Longevity Center and NYU, speaks about the importance of age-friendly cities at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Urban Aging Posted: 10/30/07

Allen Glicksman, director of research and evaluation at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, speaks about the aging populations in urban areas at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

The impact of the aging on health care Posted: 10/30/07

Mary Jane Koren, assistant vice president of the Quality of Care for Frail Elders program, The Commonwealth Fund, speaks about aging at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Type 2 Diabetes at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop Posted: 10/30/07

Richard Perez-Pena, a reporter for the New York Times speaks about Type 2 Diabetes at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.  

Keynote speech at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop Posted: 10/30/07

Mary T. Bassett, deputy commissioner for the Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, addresses attendees of the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Quick health data guide for WomensHealth.gov Posted: 10/23/07

A how-to guide provided by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health.

Diabetes in NYC: Surveillance and epidemiologic findings from new data sources Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation from Lorna Thorpe, Ph.D., M.P.H., at the session "Coming to grips with the obesity-linked diabetes epidemic" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Thorpe is deputy commissioner of the New York City Health Department. The presentation shows statistics for diabetes in New York City and the rest of the country.

Telling stories with maps Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by A.H. Strelnick at the session "Mapping health data for local stories" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Strelnick is director of the Institute for Community & Collaborative Health at the Montefiore Medical Center. The presentation shows maps of different epidemics throughout history.

Disaster planning: Questions, concerns and Clayton County Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Mike Stobbe at the session "How prepared is your city for health disasters?" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Stobbe is a reporter for The Associated Press in Atlanta. The presentation describes the reporting behind an AP project on one Georgia county.

Why urban health is different: A view from Harlem Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Peggy Shepard at the session "Why is urban health different?" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Shepard is executive director and co-founder of We Act for Environmental Justice in West Harlem. The presentation outlines environmental aspects of an urban society that can contribute to health problems.

School-based health program in New York City Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Roger Platt, M.D., at the session "Covering children's access to care" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Platt is director of the Office of School Health for New York City. The presentation describes the New York City school health program and outlines the most prominent health problems in children.

Addiction and urban health Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Joshua Lee, M.D., M.S., at the session "Tackling mental health issues in your city" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Lee is an assistant professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine. The presentation shows addiction statistics and breaks down the science behind addiction.

How prepared is your city for a health disaster? Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Kim Elliott at the session "How prepared is your city for health disasters?" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Elliott is the deputy director of Trust for America's Health. The presentation describes the realities of epidemics and public health preparedness.

Diabetes in the South Bronx Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Germaine Desjarlais-O'Kane, R.N., C.D.E. at the session "Coming to grips with the obesity-linked diabetes epidemic" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Desjarlais-O'Kane is a diabetes educator at the All Med Clinic in the Bronx. The presentation focuses on the eating habits and lifestyles of minorities living in the Bronx with diabetes.

Reporting on medical apartheid in New York City Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Neil Calman, M.D., for "Overcoming cultural barriers in your coverage" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Calman is president and CEO of the Institute for Urban Family Health; and professor of Clinical Family Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Yeshiva University. The presentations cites racial discrimination and disparities in urban health care.

Urban health: Why is it different? Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Greg Burke, M.P.A., for "Why is urban health different?" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Burke is the vice president of planning at the Montefiore Medical Center. This presentation shows the differences between urban health and the prevailing model of suburban health, namely in population and delivery systems.

What's different about urban health? Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Jo Ivey Boufford, M.D. at the session "Why is urban health different?" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Boufford is president of the New York Academy of Medicine. Gives information about public health, expenditures and causes of premature death.

Health care coverage for kids Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by Georges Benjamin, M.D., for the session "Covering children's access to health care" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Benjamin is executive director of the American Public Health Association. Gives information on uninsured children in the U.S., the effect the implementation of SCHIP had on the numbers, and an overview of where SCHIP stands now.

Long-term sustainability and growth of school-based health centers Posted: 10/18/07

A presentation by David Appel, M.D., for the session "Covering children's access to health care" at the Urban Health Journalism Workshop 2007. Appel is director of the Montefiore Medical Center's School Health Program. Gives information on the benefits of school-based health centers in children's health care.

The Immigrant and Refugee Guide to Affordable Health Care in New York State Posted: 10/17/07

A presentation from Adam Gurvitch at the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop for the panel "Overcoming cultural barriers in your coverage." Gurvitch is the health advocacy director for the New York Immigration Coalition. Gives information about patients' rights and the availability of health care for immigrants and refugees in New York Sate.

Mapping health data for local stories: Links to GIS software, data and resources Posted: 10/09/07

Brian Kaplan, a researcher for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compiled links to GIS journals, software, data and other resources for the 2007 Urban Health Journalism Workshop.

Lessons learned at the Age Boom Academy Posted: 10/08/07

Top scientists, academics and other experts spent a week talking about trends in their fields, trying to persuade a dozen journalists from across the country to increase and improve coverage of issues surrounding aging and longevity. Among the issues mentioned: depictions of aging and the aged as "pathetic and dreary;" a lack of attention to recent news about U.S. life expectancy; news agencies' focus on younger audiences; and understanding the science.

An AHCJ member who was there reports on what she learned about those issues and other tips to improve coverage of aging and the elderly.

Avian & pandemic flu resources Posted: 09/26/07

AHCJ has compiled extensive resources for members who are covering avian flu and pandemic issues. We offer tips for smaller news organizations and dozens of links to information about preparedness plans, understanding the science, public health and more. Updated Dec. 3, 2007.

Is your hospital laying off workers? A primer on where to look Posted: 09/14/07

A tip sheet from Karl Stark, pharmaceutical reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, lays out steps to take when beginning an investigation of hospital layoffs. These nine steps include documents to look at, where to find them and who to talk to to make the most of an investigation.

Multicultural health: The untold story Posted: 09/13/07

Three dozen journalists gathered on Sept. 11, 2007, at the San Francisco Chronicle for a workshop on multicultural health issues in the Bay Area. The workshop, while specifically looking at issues on the Bay Area, provided a number of ideas for covering diverse communities around the country. We offer audio of the sessions, as well as links to a wide range of resources. This workshop builds on AHCJ's multicultural health resource guide, supported by The California Endowment.

Pandemic preparedness: Tips to cover recent supplemental funding to states Posted: 08/31/07

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Aug. 30 that $75 million in supplemental funding is being made available to states for pandemic flu preparedness. AHCJ has many resources to help you report the story locally.

NIH releases FOIA case log Posted: 08/07/07

The National Institutes of Health has released its aggregated FOIA Case Log for all the NIH institutes for 2005-07. It was released in paper form, not in electronic form. NIH uses a centralized FOIA tracking database.

Epidemiological consultations: When the Army consults on serious medical situations Posted: 08/07/07

The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine recently released a printed list of its Epidemiological Consultation (EPICON) Reports. The 67-page list, and nearly all of the reports themselves, have never been released to the public before now.

Tools for covering hospitals: Financial documents Posted: 08/03/07

This tip sheet, from Karl Stark of The Philadelphia Inquirer, details five financial documents to review on your local nonprofit hospital, including what to look for and how to get them. Some documents for covering for-profit hospitals are included as well.

How to cover your local hospital Posted: 08/03/07

Disaster coverage: Is your newsroom prepared? Posted: 08/01/07

In light of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, this might be a good time to review the role of health journalists in disaster coverage and plan for such events. Joe Hight, managing editor of The Oklahoman and president of the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, recently presented a disaster and trauma brainstorming session.

Drug safety regulation and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act Posted: 07/26/07

The Washington, D.C., chapter heard a lively and informative panel discussion on the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) on July 18, 2007. Audio of the panel is available for download.

PDUFA, which has been passed in different forms in the House and the Senate, is currently in a Congressional conference committee. The law regulates how the Food and Drug Administration pays for reviews of new drug applications and addresses drug safety issues such as post-marketing reviews of new drugs and reviewing direct-to-consumer drug advertisements.

'A Hidden Shame:' Tips for reporting on deaths in mental hospitals Posted: 07/10/07

Alan Judd and Andy Miller of The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported a series about deaths in Georgia's mental hospitals. They shared how they did the story, including these tips for reporters pursuing similar stories.

Advocacy and lobbying groups Posted: 05/03/07

The Next Big (Health) Crisis - And How to Cover It Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: Interactions of journalists and sources Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: A focus on the science Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: Understanding the risk - What frightens rarely kills Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: Reacting to the crisis Posted: 04/23/07

Press lessons from the 1918 pandemic flu Posted: 04/23/07

Preparing for pandemic flu Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: Reporting from the frontlines Posted: 04/23/07

The many dimensions of the avian flu story Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: Communicating news of an outbreak Posted: 04/23/07

Avian flu: Preparing for the crisis Posted: 04/23/07

Books about influenza Posted: 04/23/07

A list of books suggested by Kaiser media fellow Maryn McKenna at "The Next Big (Health) Crisis - And How to Cover It," a conference cosponsored by AHCJ at the Nieman Foundation.

Dangers, efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance Posted: 03/18/07

A handout from Teresa Y. Morishita, D.V.M., Professor, Poultry Medicine and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif., for a panel, Latest dangers, latest efforts to combat antibiotic resistance, at Health Journalism 2007.

Freelancing: Minimizing isolation, maximizing networking Posted: 03/18/07

How to turn your story into a book Posted: 03/17/07

How to write a successful book Posted: 03/17/07

Consumer-Directed Health Plans: What are they and what do we know about their effects? Posted: 03/17/07

Cervical cancer prevention strategies for Africa, Asia, and Latin America Posted: 03/17/07

Increasing access to antiretroviral therapy and HPV vaccines Posted: 03/17/07

Impact of Medicaid cost cutting: Thoughts from a provider Posted: 03/17/07

Impact of continued Medicaid cost cutting - Venice Family Clinic Posted: 03/17/07

Narrative medical journalism: Through Hell and High Water Posted: 03/17/07

Stem cell research in California Posted: 03/17/07

Lifting the shroud: Using multiple-cause-of-death data Posted: 03/17/07

How to cover your local nursing home Posted: 03/16/07

Extensive list of sources and what to look for, from the class "Tools for covering nursing homes" at Health Journalism 2007. By Trudy Lieberman, director, Health and Medicine Reporting Program, City University of New York; Charles Bell, programs coordinator, Consumers Union; and Charlene Harrington, Ph.D., R.N., associate director, Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, University of California, San Francisco.

Autism 101 Posted: 03/16/07

Using the immune system to treat brain tumors Posted: 03/16/07

A new model of care for Los Angeles’ uninsured children Posted: 03/16/07

Children’s coverage: Progress and challenges Posted: 03/16/07

Key issues in SCHIP reauthorization Posted: 03/16/07

Improving patient safety through health information technology Posted: 03/16/07

Updates: HIV/AIDS - A Potpourri of Clinical Aspects Posted: 03/16/07

Reporting on HIV in Africa Posted: 03/16/07

Hollywood and Health: Entertainment media as a health information source Posted: 03/16/07

Maintaining vitality: The promise and perils of testosterone Posted: 03/16/07

The health of America’s minority populations - Kimlin Tam Ashing-Giwa Posted: 03/16/07

The health of America's minority populations - Michael V. Drake Posted: 03/16/07

Integrative East-West medicine: Bridging the cultural divide Posted: 03/16/07

Patient- and family-centered care Posted: 03/16/07

Patient-centered care: Susan Frampton Posted: 03/16/07

Patient-centered care: How well are hospitals doing? What does it take? Posted: 03/16/07

Mental health issues in OIF/OEF veterans Posted: 03/16/07

PTSD in veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq Posted: 03/16/07

Public health crisis preparation: Following the money Posted: 03/16/07

Public health crisis preparation: Linda Rosenstock Posted: 03/16/07

Is your city, county or state ready for a biological attack or major infectious disease outbreak? Posted: 03/16/07

Conquering infectious diseases Posted: 03/16/07

The workplace in disease prevention: Susan Heller Posted: 03/16/07

Corporate wellness Posted: 03/16/07

Wellness initiative: UCLA Hospital System Posted: 03/16/07

Understanding the scientific article Posted: 03/15/07

Genetics of prostate and breast cancer Posted: 03/15/07

Covering health in a multicultural society Posted: 03/15/07

Understanding medical publications Posted: 03/15/07

Statistical errors even you can find Posted: 03/15/07

What you need to know about risks, rates and ratios Posted: 03/15/07

Medicine 101: Words, numbers and journals Posted: 03/15/07

Aging Nation: Troublesome Health Care Issues Posted: 02/28/07

Headlines an advocate for seniors would like to see Posted: 02/28/07

Covering obesity at the local level Posted: 02/28/07

How to cover obesity science Posted: 02/28/07

Interrelationships between obesity and health disparities Posted: 02/28/07

Tracking deadly infections: Ali Khan, M.D. Posted: 10/28/06

Tracking deadly infections: Steven Gordon, M.D. Posted: 10/28/06

Avian and pandemic influenza tip sheet, by Maryn McKenna Posted: 07/06/06

Covering avian flu and pandemics: Tips for smaller newspapers/broadcast operations Posted: 07/06/06

Understanding HIPAA: A brief overview Posted: 07/01/06

Tools for covering hospitals: Hospital stories to do Posted: 03/20/06

Katrina health impacts Posted: 03/18/06

Freelance: A survival guide for brain and bank account Posted: 03/18/06

HIPAA: Good intentions and unintended consequences Posted: 03/18/06

Nanotechnology: The big story in biotech Posted: 03/18/06

Preparing your community for pandemics Posted: 03/18/06

Pandemic/avian influenza: Epidemiology and challenges Posted: 03/18/06

Pandemic influenza: Planning and coordinating the response Posted: 03/18/06

Future of cancer research Posted: 03/17/06

Medicaid basics and beyond Posted: 03/17/06

Adolescent mental health issues Posted: 03/17/06

Is cross-border care the next big trend? (Ana Andrade, Health Net of California) Posted: 03/17/06

Is cross-border care the next big trend? (Jim Arriola, Sekure Healthcare) Posted: 03/17/06

Health law and medical ethics Posted: 03/17/06

Medicare Part D: What are the concerns Posted: 03/17/06

Exploring the health challenges of Hispanic Americans Posted: 03/17/06

Evidence-based medical reporting Posted: 03/16/06

What to do if a law enforcement officer asks you to hand over notes or tapes Posted: 01/01/06

Hurricane and health resources Posted: 08/30/05

Covering Medicare's Part D prescription benefit Posted: 06/01/05

Investigating health care: Essential public records Posted: 04/01/04

Quick guide to data and documents to look for when investigating health care, from Michael Berens of the Chicago Tribune.

HIPAA Boot Camp: The Basics of HIPAA for Health Care Journalists Posted: 03/17/03

How to understand a 990 Posted: 01/01/00