Barbara Feder Ostrov's Health Journalism Blog

Veteran health journalist Barbara Feder Ostrov blogs about all things health journalism-related, in particular providing tips for reporters covering health policy, health reform, public health, community health, local health issues, access to care, health insurance, SCHIP, Medicaid and Medicare.

Colonias: Third World Health Conditions, Deep in the Heart of Texas

Journalist Emily Ramshaw gives the backstory on how she reported her ground-breaking series on Texas' colonias, impovershed neighborhoods that remain without running water, paved roads or electricity after decades of neglect.

The California FreshWorks Fund: Getting Healthy Food Where It Is Needed Most

Michelle Obama kicks off a new $200 million loan fund to bring more fresh and nutritious food to the California communities that need it most.

New FCC Journalism Report Paints Bleak Picture of Health Coverage

The long-awaited Federal Communications Commission report on American journalism, Information Needs of Communities, paints a poignant picture of the decline of health journalism at the nation’s newspapers.

How Can We Afford It? Six Tips for Reporting on Cancer Treatment Costs

A little legwork can deliver compelling stories about how cancer treatment costs are affecting patients in your community, whether they’re  insured or not. Here are some tips and resources to jump-start your reporting.

Too Heavy for Baby? Covering Pregnancy and Obesity in Your Community

Public health officials are increasingly concerned about the rising numbers of women entering pregnancy overweight or obese. Get context and ideas for covering this story in your community. 

Q&A with Trudy Lieberman: Finding Local Stories in the Great Medicare Debate of 2011

Veteran health journalist Trudy Lieberman shares tips for localizing the highly politicized debate over Medicare.

Your Safety-Net Hospital and Health Reform: Questions to Ask Now

As public safety-net hospitals start to prepare for health reform, they'll need to help their patients find their way in a far different, and likely politically noisy, health care landscape. Here are some questions you should be asking now.

15 Tips for Smart Reporting on Drug Addiction and Treatment

Do you want to better report on drug addiction and treatment? Avoid having Slate’s Jack Shafer feature your work in his Stupid Drug Story of the Week feature? Then follow these 15 tips from veteran journalist Maia Szalavitz.

2014 Is Coming Sooner Than You Think: New Ideas for Reporting on Health Reform's Rollout

Here are tips on getting ready to cover health reform's rollout in your community.

Why Michele Simon is Not Attending or Watching "Weight of the Nation"

Why focusing on obesity is a gift for the food industry.

Data Reporting E-book - Download.

What makes your community healthy or unhealthy? Use our step-by-step data reporting guide to uncover untold stories!

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