Erica Tricarico

Nov 19, 2024 | healthjournalism.org | Erica Tricarico

The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) recently welcomed Anna Medaris, a freelance health and lifestyle journalist based in New York City, as its new freelance health beat leader. Medaris has 15 years of experience writing features, narratives, explainers, profiles, and news hits for publications including the Washington Post, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, US News & World Report, Vox, Everyday Health, Monitor on Psychology and AARP, among others.

Nov 7, 2024 | healthjournalism.org | Erica Tricarico

When retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Thomas Campbell hit rock bottom and tried to take his life, he was battling PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, family conflict and financial strains. But the story he shared at AHCJ’s fall summit was one of hope: He recovered, thanks to access to proper care and support.

Nov 7, 2024 | healthjournalism.org | Erica Tricarico

Journalists can use data to raise awareness about public health crises like suicide and other behavioral and mental health concerns, panelists said during an AHCJ fall summit session. For example, in 2022 alone, more than 49,000 people died by suicide, according to CDC data. And rates are rising in communities that haven’t been traditionally impacted at such high levels.

Nov 7, 2024 | healthjournalism.org | Erica Tricarico

It’s crucial for journalists covering mental and behavioral health to understand the role cultural competence plays in reducing health disparities and addressing systemic barriers. That was a central theme of a session at AHCJ’s fall summit — the cultural mismatch between a patient and a health care professional that can potentially lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. And it’s clear from research, said Renuka Rayasam, senior correspondent for KFF Health News, the session’s moderator.

Nov 7, 2024 | healthjournalism.org | Erica Tricarico

Approximately 2 million people with serious mental health issues are jailed each year, often for misdemeanor crimes. And between 5% and 20% of 911 calls are behavioral health-related incidents, said Julie Wertheimer, project director of mental health and justice partnerships for The Pew Charitable Trusts, during AHCJ’s fall summit in Washington, D.C.These troubling stats underscore the importance of journalists’ role in raising awareness about the 988 suicide prevention hotline, panelists said.