The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) has launched a new Public Health beat to help journalists cover emerging health threats, policy changes and other issues affecting communities.
The initiative, announced by Katherine Reed, AHCJ’s Director of Education and Content, comes amid growing public health challenges, including measles-related deaths, a widespread Cyclospora outbreak and concerns over vaccine confidence.
AHCJ said public health stories continue to dominate the news, while misinformation and reductions in funding for federal health agencies are creating additional challenges for journalists and the public.
According to the organisation, healthcare reporters are increasingly required to provide accurate and reliable information to audiences while also rebuilding trust among people who are uncertain about where to obtain credible health information.
The new beat is being supported by the Common Health Coalition and developed under the guidance of public health journalist, Tara Haelle.
AHCJ said the resource would help journalists keep up with and anticipate major public health stories, covering issues that affect large sections of the population.
The coverage areas include chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as screening, prevention and treatment.
It will also cover infectious diseases and vaccines, including HIV and hepatitis C, antibiotic resistance, mental health and suicide, social media-related health effects, psychedelic safety and use.
Other areas include addiction, the opioid epidemic, alcohol use disorder, harm reduction, maternal and reproductive health, diet and nutrition, preventive healthcare and cancer prevention and screening.
The beat will also focus on paediatric public health issues, including screen time, social media, asthma, vaping and injury prevention, alongside health misinformation.
AHCJ said journalists would also receive guidance on policy and funding changes affecting regulatory and public health agencies, including the World Health Organisation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
Climate-related health threats will form another component of the new beat, with coverage expected to include extreme heat, severe storms, wildfires, the spread of vector-borne diseases, and food and water safety.
Environmental threats and toxic exposures will also be covered.
AHCJ said the initiative was designed to strengthen journalists’ ability to report public health issues accurately and help audiences better understand threats that can affect their health and wellbeing.
