When reporting on sensitive public health issues, it can be difficult to find a way into the communities journalists are covering. Often, the best way to learn what’s at stake is to connect with community health workers who often are on the frontlines of local issues, have earned the trust of those they serve, and can act as a liaison to potential sources.
In this April 29 webinar, Dr. Bechara Choucair, executive vice president and chief health officer at Kaiser Permanente, and Denise Octavia Smith, the inaugural executive director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, spoke with journalists about how to engage community health workers while respecting privacy issues that may arise in their work.
This program was part of the Institute’s inaugural Public Health Reporting Fellowship, funded by the Common Health Coalition. It was opened to the public at no cost.
About the Common Health Coalition
The Common Health Coalition: Together for Public Health brings together leading health organizations in pursuit of a reimagined health system: one in which the nation’s health care and public health systems no longer work in parallel, but hand in hand — with better health for all as the common goal.
The Common Health Coalition is hosted by the Institute for Public Health Innovation, a non-profit that builds cross-sector partnerships, promotes health equity, and works to create effective public health systems and policies that foster healthy communities. To sign up for the newsletter or learn more, visit commonhealthcoalition.org and follow on LinkedIn.
About the National Press Club Journalism Institute
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute depends on grants, foundation funds, and contributions from individuals like you. Your donation today allows the Institute to offer the majority of its programming at no cost.