Association of Health Care Journalists
@healthjournalism.org
AHCJ is an independent, nonprofit dedicated to improving health care journalism. Learn about our training, including fellowships, webinars and conferences ➡️ healthjournalism.org
For parents of children with cancer, the costs of care can financially cripple families for generations — which will only continue to get worse after Congress cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and other programs last year. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Deep federal cuts will make health care financially toxic, driving up medical debt
Federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and other health programs will make it much more difficult for families to pay for care and increase medical debt.
healthjournalism.org
February 16, 2026 at 8:30 PM
For parents of children with cancer, the costs of care can financially cripple families for generations — which will only continue to get worse after Congress cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and other programs last year. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
A recent court decision allowing ICE to use states’ Medicaid data to identify where people live could have profound implications for patient trust, access to care and public health reporting. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Is ICE undermining patient privacy by using Medicaid data?
A December court decision allowed federal ICE agents to use Medicaid data to identify where people live as part of enforcement actions.
healthjournalism.org
February 16, 2026 at 3:03 PM
A recent court decision allowing ICE to use states’ Medicaid data to identify where people live could have profound implications for patient trust, access to care and public health reporting. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
In case you missed it — or would like to revisit the discussion — our recorded webinar on vaccine injury compensation in the U.S. is now live. Watch it here:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Vaccine injury compensation in the U.S.: Current practices and future prospects
In this webinar, hear from the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team about potential big changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
healthjournalism.org
February 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
In case you missed it — or would like to revisit the discussion — our recorded webinar on vaccine injury compensation in the U.S. is now live. Watch it here:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Full-time freelance writing isn’t for the timid. Crave more in-depth assignments? Worried your voice got smothered in editing? Want more pay — or even just the pay you deserve but that hasn’t hit your bank account yet? It’s all on you to speak up. Here's how: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
How to advocate for yourself as a freelance journalist
During January’s Lunch and Learn, freelancers swapped tips on advocating for better pay, clearer boundaries and more time.
healthjournalism.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Full-time freelance writing isn’t for the timid. Crave more in-depth assignments? Worried your voice got smothered in editing? Want more pay — or even just the pay you deserve but that hasn’t hit your bank account yet? It’s all on you to speak up. Here's how: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Native communities face some of the highest health disparities in the U.S. — yet their health systems remain underfunded and overlooked. Learn more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Why Native health care should be on your radar
Native American health care sits at the intersection of federal responsibility, chronic underfunding and widening health disparities.
healthjournalism.org
February 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Native communities face some of the highest health disparities in the U.S. — yet their health systems remain underfunded and overlooked. Learn more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
📣 Don't miss tomorrow's webinar at 1 p.m. ET with the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team on possible big changes to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Register here: healthjournalism.org/event/vaccin...
Vaccine injury compensation in the U.S.: Current practices and future prospects
In this webinar, hear from the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team about potential big changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
healthjournalism.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:30 PM
📣 Don't miss tomorrow's webinar at 1 p.m. ET with the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team on possible big changes to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Register here: healthjournalism.org/event/vaccin...
A recent study found that from 2018 to 2021, pregnant women experienced a 37% higher firearm homicide rate than nonpregnant women. Read more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Firearm homicide rates higher among pregnant women than nonpregnant women, study shows
U.S. women are more likely to be killed during or soon after pregnancy than the three leading causes of maternal death, study shows.
healthjournalism.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM
A recent study found that from 2018 to 2021, pregnant women experienced a 37% higher firearm homicide rate than nonpregnant women. Read more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
The misuse of AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot in health care is the most significant health tech hazard for 2026, according to patient safety organization ECRI. See the other nine here: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Misuse of AI chatbots in health care tops 2026 Health Tech Hazard Report
ECRI's annual report finds many people turning to chatbots even though they aren't designed specifically for health care.
healthjournalism.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:03 PM
The misuse of AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot in health care is the most significant health tech hazard for 2026, according to patient safety organization ECRI. See the other nine here: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
🎓️ Upcoming webinar 📆 Thursday, Feb. 12 🕐️ 1 p.m. ET | Join AHCJ and E-VAT for a webinar this Thursday on possible big changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. healthjournalism.org/event/vaccin...
Vaccine injury compensation in the U.S.: Current practices and future prospects
In this webinar, hear from the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team about potential big changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
healthjournalism.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:01 PM
🎓️ Upcoming webinar 📆 Thursday, Feb. 12 🕐️ 1 p.m. ET | Join AHCJ and E-VAT for a webinar this Thursday on possible big changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. healthjournalism.org/event/vaccin...
Learn how The New Yorker's Sarah Stillman wrote "Starved in Jail" — a heart-wrenching piece on incarcerated people dying from starvation in county jails — and why the story is worth pursuing in your locality. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
‘Starved in jail’ is a story in every U.S. county
Sarah Stillman's piece "Starved in Jail" asks why incarcerated people die of neglect when private companies are paid millions for their care.
healthjournalism.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Learn how The New Yorker's Sarah Stillman wrote "Starved in Jail" — a heart-wrenching piece on incarcerated people dying from starvation in county jails — and why the story is worth pursuing in your locality. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
In this month's How I Pitched It, see how a session at AHCJ's 2025 conference inspired freelancer Karen Fischer to land a story on the opioid epidemic's impact on bar staff with the beverage publication Punch. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
How a digital nomad pitched an opioid story to the beverage publication Punch
Digital nomad Karen Fischer’s pitch on how restaurant workers are on the front lines of the opioid epidemic traces back to an AHCJ conference.
healthjournalism.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:42 PM
In this month's How I Pitched It, see how a session at AHCJ's 2025 conference inspired freelancer Karen Fischer to land a story on the opioid epidemic's impact on bar staff with the beverage publication Punch. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
🏆️ Only two weeks left to submit an entry to the 2025 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism! Learn more: healthjournalism.org/awards-for-e...
February 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
🏆️ Only two weeks left to submit an entry to the 2025 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism! Learn more: healthjournalism.org/awards-for-e...
Don't wait — early-bird registration for Health Journalism 2026 in Minneapolis ends on March 13! Learn more: healthjournalism.org/training-eve...
Health Journalism 2026
AHCJ and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism are thrilled to bring Health Journalism 2026 to Minneapolis from May 27–30.
healthjournalism.org
February 6, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Don't wait — early-bird registration for Health Journalism 2026 in Minneapolis ends on March 13! Learn more: healthjournalism.org/training-eve...
Maine voters approved the state’s first red flag law, making it the 22nd state to adopt the policy. What does it mean for suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and clinicians? Learn more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Maine becomes 22nd state with a red flag law
Maine voters passed the state’s first red flag law in November, creating a legal pathway to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms.
healthjournalism.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Maine voters approved the state’s first red flag law, making it the 22nd state to adopt the policy. What does it mean for suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and clinicians? Learn more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
🎉 Congrats to the six journalists selected for the prestigious 2026 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF) program! This year's cohort brings tremendous potential to our field, and we're happy to be a part of their journey. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Meet the 2026 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellows
Six journalists have been selected for the 2026 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF) program.
healthjournalism.org
February 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
🎉 Congrats to the six journalists selected for the prestigious 2026 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF) program! This year's cohort brings tremendous potential to our field, and we're happy to be a part of their journey. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/02...
Covering the ongoing measles outbreaks? Here’s the latest data and reliable sources to help inform your reporting. Learn more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/05...
Covering measles in 2026: Updated data, guidance and reliable sources
It's crucial for journalists to include accurate information about measles and vaccination in their coverage of the ongoing outbreak.
healthjournalism.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Covering the ongoing measles outbreaks? Here’s the latest data and reliable sources to help inform your reporting. Learn more: healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/05...
Too often, children’s exposure to intimate partner violence is treated as a private issue — not a public health one. But the impacts are lasting, widespread, and undercovered.
👀 Why this story needs more attention — and how to report it responsibly:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
👀 Why this story needs more attention — and how to report it responsibly:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Why children's exposure to intimate partner violence needs more coverage
Intimate partner violence is a major public health crisis in the U.S. that needs more coverage — especially its impact on children.
healthjournalism.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Too often, children’s exposure to intimate partner violence is treated as a private issue — not a public health one. But the impacts are lasting, widespread, and undercovered.
👀 Why this story needs more attention — and how to report it responsibly:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
👀 Why this story needs more attention — and how to report it responsibly:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Health insurance is getting more expensive, subsidies are expiring, and where you live matters more than ever. So who’s paying more? Who’s walking away from coverage? And what does this mean for people next?
👉 Here are some story angles worth digging into:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
👉 Here are some story angles worth digging into:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Stories to cover as Americans seek affordable health insurance
Following the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits on Dec. 31, many Americans are struggling to pay for health insurance.
healthjournalism.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Health insurance is getting more expensive, subsidies are expiring, and where you live matters more than ever. So who’s paying more? Who’s walking away from coverage? And what does this mean for people next?
👉 Here are some story angles worth digging into:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
👉 Here are some story angles worth digging into:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
There is no “normal” journalism right now. In this personal account, Minneapolis journalist Sheila Eldred reflects on what it means for journalists to show up for neighbors and sources who want to tell their stories while navigating ongoing safety concerns. healthjournalism.org/letter-from-...
Letter from Minneapolis: No ‘normal’ in journalism, right now
In this personal account, Minneapolis-based AHCJ member Sheila Eldred reflects on listening to fear and grief up close.
healthjournalism.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:30 PM
There is no “normal” journalism right now. In this personal account, Minneapolis journalist Sheila Eldred reflects on what it means for journalists to show up for neighbors and sources who want to tell their stories while navigating ongoing safety concerns. healthjournalism.org/letter-from-...
Have you taken time to reflect on all you've accomplished this past year? Here are some fun and unique ways to celebrate your work: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
3 fun and creative ways freelancers can celebrate their work
Performance reviews are all well and good, but whacky parties, cheeky awards and short getaways are a lot more fun.
healthjournalism.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Have you taken time to reflect on all you've accomplished this past year? Here are some fun and unique ways to celebrate your work: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
🔔 Reminder for health journalists and educators: Session proposals for Health Journalism 2026 are due Jan. 30 — don’t miss your chance to lead! 🏆 healthjournalism.org/training-eve...
Health Journalism 2026
AHCJ and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism are thrilled to bring Health Journalism 2026 to Minneapolis from May 27–30.
healthjournalism.org
January 30, 2026 at 3:04 PM
🔔 Reminder for health journalists and educators: Session proposals for Health Journalism 2026 are due Jan. 30 — don’t miss your chance to lead! 🏆 healthjournalism.org/training-eve...
Crave more in-depth assignments? Worried your voice got smothered in editing? Want more pay, or even just the pay you deserve? Follow these tips to advocate for yourself. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
How to advocate for yourself as a freelance journalist
During January’s Lunch and Learn, freelancers swapped tips on advocating for better pay, clearer boundaries and more time.
healthjournalism.org
January 30, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Crave more in-depth assignments? Worried your voice got smothered in editing? Want more pay, or even just the pay you deserve? Follow these tips to advocate for yourself. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Another tragedy has shaken health workers, journalists and the public alike. To our members doing this work every day — in newsrooms and in care settings — we stand with you and with Minneapolis during these challenging times. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
AHCJ stands with Minneapolis
A message of support from AHCJ's Board President and Executive Director ahead of the Health Journalism 2026 conference in Minneapolis May 27-30.
healthjournalism.org
January 29, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Another tragedy has shaken health workers, journalists and the public alike. To our members doing this work every day — in newsrooms and in care settings — we stand with you and with Minneapolis during these challenging times. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Congress' failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits in 2025 combined with rising insurance rates means millions of Americans might not be able to pay for health care. Here's what to know. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Stories to cover as Americans seek affordable health insurance
Following the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits on Dec. 31, many Americans are struggling to pay for health insurance.
healthjournalism.org
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Congress' failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits in 2025 combined with rising insurance rates means millions of Americans might not be able to pay for health care. Here's what to know. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Could the shingles vaccine do more than prevent disease? 🩹 New research suggests it may be linked to slower biological aging — including lower inflammation and slower molecular aging markers. Here's what to know. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
Shingles vaccine may slow biological aging, new study suggests
New research shows a link between slower biological aging among people who received the shingles vaccine compared to those who did not.
healthjournalism.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Could the shingles vaccine do more than prevent disease? 🩹 New research suggests it may be linked to slower biological aging — including lower inflammation and slower molecular aging markers. Here's what to know. healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...