#United States #Washington #National Press Club #Health Coalition #Journalism Fellowship

New Public Health Reporting Fellowship Launched

On December 6, 2024, the Common Health Coalition and the National Press Club Journalism Institute proudly announced the launch of a new fellowship designed specifically for mid-career journalists. The Public Health Reporting Fellowship aims to support the development of impactful reporting projects that focus on crucial intersections between public health policy and healthcare delivery.

The fellowship is noteworthy for its substantive financial backing, offering up to $7,500 to each of the five selected fellows. This funding is intended to cover expenses associated with their respective reporting projects. The applications for this fellowship must be submitted by January 6, 2025, and successful applicants will engage in a structured program lasting six months, from February to July 2025.

Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc and chair of the Common Health Coalition, emphasized the importance of independent health journalism, stating, "It is vital to support excellence in independent health journalism and the free press. The Common Health Coalition is honored to support the work of the National Press Club Journalism Institute's Public Health Reporting Fellowship. This fellowship helps ensure journalists elevate the important — and often unseen — partnerships occurring across the country between healthcare and public health. And these are stories worth telling, because such partnerships make our health system stronger and our families and communities healthier."

The funding provided by the Common Health Coalition totals $50,000, signifying their commitment to fostering quality health journalism. The selected fellows will be required to propose a significant reporting initiative that addresses a vital public health issue that can resonate at community, regional, state, or national levels. The completed reports are required to be published or distributed no later than July 2025.

Focus areas for fellowship projects can include various health challenges that impact the community, highlighting effective solutions capable of addressing these issues. As Beth Francesco, executive director for the National Press Club Journalism Institute, mentioned, “Recent history has illustrated the necessity of strong health journalism that not only explains critical issues, but goes further to reveal the impact of solutions-oriented infrastructures that could help move the needle in improving public health.”

Fellowship participants will benefit from numerous resources during the program. This includes a virtual orientation session, ongoing mentorship from industry experts, and monthly training sessions specifically targeting public health information and resources relevant to their projects. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to engage with a community of fellow journalists and mentors who share similar interests in public health reporting, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of their respective projects.

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants need a minimum of ten years of professional journalism experience. They are also expected to articulate their commitment to public health topics through a detailed proposal submitted alongside a letter of support from their employer or the news outlet where the project will be published. While prior public health reporting experience is not mandatory, applicants must show a passion for this field in their submissions.

Those selected for the fellowship will join a network of health reporters who are dedicated to communicating vital health stories effectively to the public. Furthermore, fellows will engage in knowledge-sharing initiatives by participating in webinars that aim to assist other health reporters in their pursuits.

For media professionals aspiring to contribute significantly to public health narratives, the Public Health Reporting Fellowship presents an invaluable opportunity to amplify their impact through focused reporting. Applications for the fellowship are open until January 6, 2025, with the lucky recipients to be announced shortly thereafter.

To learn more about the fellowship or to submit an application, interested journalists can visit NPCJI's website and find all necessary details for this hit opportunity in health journalism.