Lara Salahi

1 month ago | healthjournalism.org | Lara Salahi

The Trump administration’s recent decision to freeze federal funding for universities that don’t comply with new policy directives is more than just a political move. It’s a critical moment for health journalists. While media coverage tends to focus on elite schools like Harvard, the impact of these funding freezes goes far beyond the Ivy League — and health journalists have a crucial role in unpacking what’s at stake for the public.

1 month ago | medscape.com | Lara Salahi

In a busy clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, a clinician performs a rapid syphilis test on a pregnant woman. Within 15 minutes, the results are in — she is infected — and treatment can begin immediately. This process, once uncommon, is becoming more widely adopted as healthcare providers reevaluate screening and treatment protocols to curb the nationwide surge in congenital syphilis. Cases of the condition have increased 10-fold between 2012 and 2022.

1 month ago | healthjournalism.org | Lara Salahi

Each day, headlines highlight large-scale drug raids, accompanied by photos of seized contraband and statements from law enforcement heralding the success of their efforts. However, a recent study published in the journal Public Health in Practice suggests that this coverage overwhelmingly neglects a crucial element: public health messaging. Only 1% of the 211 drug seizure-related articles analyzed included any mention of substance use disorder treatment or recovery resources, the study found.

2 months ago | healthjournalism.org | Lara Salahi

Health care segregation isn’t just a relic of the past. In 2025, patients of color and those insured through Medicaid often receive care at different outpatient clinics than their white, commercially insured counterparts. This segregation isn’t legally mandated — but it’s structurally ingrained, and it has real consequences for health outcomes, medical education, and systemic equity.

2 months ago | healthjournalism.org | Lara Salahi

Organ transplants hit a record high last year, but despite years of trying to level the playing field, getting a new organ is still a game of chance where your odds depend on the color of your skin, the size of your wallet and your zip code. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open serves up a stark reminder: If you’re Black, you’re less likely to even make it to a lung transplant evaluation compared to your white counterparts.