Health and Medical Journalism

Health journalism provides news, analysis, and nonfiction narratives about issues of personal and public health. Print and digital journalism outlets across varying media types frequently cover news and advice about health matters directed to a lay audience. Indeed, health stories are some of the most prevalent and popular stories that run in the consumer media. Health news dovetails with several other journalism beats, including politics, business, public life, science, environment, sports, and lifestyle. Such stories are also referred to as medical journalism, health reporting/writing, and medical/health news. This entry examines historical precedents, the production and consumption of health journalism, and critiques of the form.