Lara Salahi

Death, crime and care: What research says about harm reduction centers Clear, evidence-based reporting is important to counter myths, explain legal uncertainty and show what harm reduction centers actually do.

🧵 #HarmReduction meets people where they're at, with no judgment, stigma, or strings attached. #OverdosePrevention centers ( #OPCs), also called safe injection sites, represent harm reduction in action — saving lives, uplifting the dignity of people who use drugs, & supporting...
bit.ly/OPCsResearch

Covering the government shutdown’s impact on health agencies and policy The federal government shutdown is adding serious strain to health agencies, policies and programs on which millions of people depend.

Covering the government shutdown’s impact on health agencies and policy healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/10...

ESC Aims to Tackle Cardiac Risks Associated With Long COVID An ESC report outlining the effects of COVID and long COVID on the heart emphasizes the need for early detection, vaccination, and cardiac rehab.

Health reporter and CEID affiliate faculty @larasalahi.bsky.social reports on @escardio.bsky.social's new consensus report on the cardiac risks of long COVID, including for those with no prior heart disease. Read more at @medscape.com.
spr.ly/63325AooSU

Inside an unregulated industry: How one reporter covered a surrogacy tragedy Emi Nietfeld’s reporting on surrogacy for Wired offers lessons in responsibly framing both risk and regulation in stories that touch deeply personal lives.

Inside an unregulated industry: How one reporter covered a surrogacy tragedy healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/09...

A new @healthjournalism.org piece by @larasalahi.bsky.social highlights the fallout of NIH funding cuts on health equity research -- and provides resources to find reliable data and coverage.

Read the post: tinyurl.com/zncaxfa3

Covering the fallout of NIH funding cuts on health equity research It's important to explain both the short- and long-term consequences of the NIH funding cuts while navigating politically charged rhetoric.

Covering the fallout of NIH funding cuts on health equity research healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/09...

How will Medicaid and SNAP changes hit your community?
Join AHCJ’s Aug. 1 webinar to find story ideas in the new “megabill.”
🕑 2–3 pm ET | Free to attend
🔗 bit.ly/megabill-web...

How one reporter revealed dangerous levels of radioactivity in groundwater A Toledo Blade reporter's independent water testing found levels of radioactivity up to 1,731 times higher than normal background levels.

How one reporter revealed dangerous levels of radioactivity in groundwater healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/07...

A new way to measure perinatal mortality — and why it matters The CDC has adopted a new, broader definition of perinatal mortality — deaths that occur around the time of birth.

A new way to measure perinatal mortality — and why it matters, via @larasalahi.bsky.social healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/06...

Navigating public health and politics in fluoride coverage A swirl of new research, legal fights and political shifts are pushing water fluoridation back into the headlines — and under the microscope.

Navigating public health and politics in fluoride coverage healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/04...

Telehealth is falling short among Medicaid recipients, study says A study suggests that telehealth isn't serving Medicaid beneficiaries well as they're less likely to get substance use disorder treatment.

Telehealth isn’t reaching many Medicaid recipients who need it most. 📉 What’s causing the gap? Journalists, dig into the data. 🏥 Read more:

Redlining’s lingering public health legacy Recent studies show that people from formerly redlined neighborhoods face multiple health disparities including a lower life expectancy.

"Many historically redlined areas lack adequate health care resources, making it challenging for residents to receive timely and effective care." #redlining #Blackhealth

Redlining’s lingering public health legacy buff.ly/B3Pae25 by @larasalahi.bsky.social via @healthjournalism.org

Lost in the Chart: How Medicine Fails Adopted Adults Findings from a new study suggest primary care clinicians need better guidance on caring for adopted adult patients with limited family medical history.

Clinicians often lack both training and awareness when treating adults who were adopted as children, leading to potential gaps in preventive care, adverse health outcomes, and negative experiences that can alienate patients. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

"Stories could explore the trauma of migration, coupled with uncertainty, discrimination, and family separation, while specifically focusing on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other trauma-related disorders within the migrant community.”

@healthjournalism.org #familyseparation

5 story ideas on migrant health crises facing U.S.-Mexico border Although less visible, the profound public health challenges facing migrants and communities at the U.S.-Mexico border demand attention.

5 story ideas on migrant health crises facing U.S.-Mexico border healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/02...

Redlining’s lingering public health legacy Recent studies show that people from formerly redlined neighborhoods face multiple health disparities including a lower life expectancy.

Redlining’s lingering public health legacy healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/02...

Two journalists discuss investigation on pesticides and children's health in Brazil Reporters Sílvia Lisboa and Carla Ruas collaborated with scientists to examine how pesticides in Brazil impact children in rural areas.

Reporters Sílvia Lisboa and Carla Ruas collaborated with scientists to examine how pesticides in Brazil disproportionately impact children in rural areas.

Decentralized: Navigating the future of inclusive clinical trials In this webinar, a neurology professor and a Walgreens executive will discuss how decentralization is reshaping clinical trials.

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. Join us for an insightful conversation on the future of research equity. healthjournalism.org/event/decent...

Decentralized: Navigating the future of inclusive clinical trials In this webinar, a neurology professor and a Walgreens executive will discuss how decentralization is reshaping clinical trials.

Decentralized: Navigating the future of inclusive clinical trials healthjournalism.org/event/decent...

Two journalists discuss investigation on pesticides and children's health in Brazil Reporters Sílvia Lisboa and Carla Ruas collaborated with scientists to examine how pesticides in Brazil impact children in rural areas.

Like Brazil -- the world's largest consumer of pesticides -- the U.S. also grapples with similar debates surrounding chemical exposure, health risks in rural farming communities, and the regulation of agricultural practices. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/02...

Health impact of California wildfires to be felt for years to come The wildfire crisis in California is not just an environmental disaster but a public health emergency with short- and long-term consequences.

The #LAfires will have long-term effects, as my colleague @larasalahi.bsky.social wrote.
healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...

Climate and health: Stories to watch in 2025 While climate coverage often focuses on heat, its health impacts have a broader audience appeal. Here are some story ideas to watch in 2025.

From extreme heat to air quality concerns, climate change is increasingly impacting our health. Check out the top climate-health stories to watch in 2025.

Climate and health: Stories to watch in 2025 While climate coverage often focuses on heat, its health impacts have a broader audience appeal. Here are some story ideas to watch in 2025.

"Even though many environmental benefits of curbing carbon emissions will be felt decades from now, many health benefits happen right away."

@larasalahi.bsky.social and I write about climate/health stories to watch in 2025:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...

#publichealth #climate #NewYear2025

Climate and health: Stories to watch in 2025 While climate coverage often focuses on heat, its health impacts have a broader audience appeal. Here are some story ideas to watch in 2025.

Beyond excessive heat, climate change has far-reaching health impacts. CEID affiliate faculty @larasalahi.bsky.social expects that in 2025, climate change journalism will increasingly focus on its ties to zoonotic infectious diseases as migratory patterns shift.
healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...

Climate and health: Stories to watch in 2025 While climate coverage often focuses on heat, its health impacts have a broader audience appeal. Here are some story ideas to watch in 2025.

My recent article on climate/health stories to watch in 2025, coauthored with @larasalahi.bsky.social has a ton of info and stats that we hope #journalists will use as they are covering climate-related topics and disasters. A thread 🧵:
healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...
🧪🌎

Health impact of California wildfires to be felt for years to come The wildfire crisis in California is not just an environmental disaster but a public health emergency with short- and long-term consequences.

The wildfire crisis in California is not just an environmental disaster but a public health emergency with effects that could be felt for years to come. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...

Less screening, fewer cases: What our audiences should know about breast cancer rates A recent study found that fewer breast cancer screenings did not lead to a significant increase in more advanced cancers over 15 years.

Despite concerns that the USPSTF guideline to screen for breast cancer less frequently would lead to an increase in advanced cancers, data from a recent study suggests a different story. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...

How retail pharmacies are bringing clinical trials to the community Walgreens is now conducting a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial across eight states in partnership with the government.

Innovation meets inclusion --> Studies traditionally take place at academic centers, which can feel distant or inaccessible for many. Now the feds are helping push for more trials at places like your local pharmacy. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/01...

Author, professor, journalist Lara Salahi joins AHCJ as health equity beat leader AHCJ recently welcomed seasoned journalist, author, and professor Lara Salahi as its new health equity beat leader.

"...there’s a lot of important work we can do to shed light on [health disparities] and the people affected by them, and ultimately move policy and practice forward." healthjournalism.org/blog/2024/09...

Fellowship opens door to comprehensive abortion access coverage in U.S., France Reporter Ariel Cohen discusses how an AHCJ fellowship helped her write a six-story series examining abortion policies in the U.S. and France.

CQ Roll Call's Ariel Cohen shared with me some unique insights into how two Western democracies approach abortion policy, and their stark differences in legal frameworks, medical practices and societal attitudes. Could the U.S. learn a thing or two from France? healthjournalism.org/blog/2024/12...