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From big picture to local story: Reporting on the impact of the megabill
The 2026 budget megabill signed into law on July 4 will impact the health of millions of Americans — especially those on Medicaid and other safety net programs including SNAP. How can journalists wrap their arms around these massive changes? In this webinar, panelists highlighted what aspects of the megabill journalists should pay close attention…
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Finding sustainable work you love in an era of relentless layoffs
If you’re a health journalist who has recently been laid off or bought out, you might feel lost, discouraged, angry or scared. Even if you’re gainfully employed as a staffer or freelancer, you probably experience waves of uncertainty about the profession and your place in it from time to time. We get it — and…
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Make facts matter again: Pushing back against misinformation and disinformation
It’s exhausting and disheartening to work as a journalist these days, dutifully reporting the facts only to see accurate reporting engulfed and overwhelmed by misinformation and disinformation — especially on social media. The consequences are dire — for example, declining vaccination rates and a growing number of measles outbreaks. While there is no simple solution…
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How research misconduct harms patients and science
Fraud, manipulation and research misconduct can lead scientists down a slippery slope, affecting drug development, grant funding, and patients’ lives. Scientists working in the field of Alzheimer’s research are under enormous pressure to maintain grant funding, publish, and, ultimately, find a cure. For decades, their primary focus has been preventing or eliminating amyloid plaque in…
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Reporting on the crucial role doctors play in gun violence prevention
Gun suicides reached an all-time high in 2023, and almost 4% of gun-related deaths in the United States were unintentional shootings — the worst year on record for unintentional shootings by children. At the same time, firearms are used in more than three out of five intimate partner homicides in the United States. Yet more…
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Decentralized: Navigating the future of inclusive clinical trials
Decentralized clinical trials have emerged as a promising approach to overcome traditional barriers, enhance representation, and improve the quality of research by bringing biomedical studies directly into communities. However, recent policy changes under the Trump administration, including the removal of FDA guidance on clinical trial diversity, have raised concerns about the future of inclusive research.…
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Unraveling the myth: Propublica’s investigation into a bad doc and a reckless hospital
The infamous “Dr. Death” case in Texas showed just how little oversight there often is of physicians. When confronted with a neurosurgeon who was maiming and killing patients, multiple hospitals looked the other way. Meanwhile, the state medical board dragged its feet in taking punitive action, and Texas malpractice law discouraged private lawsuits. Now, ProPublica…
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