National Press Club Journalism Institute and Common Health Coalition announce 2025 Public Health Reporting Fellows

Shining a Light on health Disparities: Five Journalists Awarded Grants Too Explore Critical Issues

Five experienced journalists are embarking on a mission to shed light on pressing health disparities impacting communities across the United States. This journey is made possible through the inaugural Public Health Reporting Fellowship, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the National Press Club Journalism Institute in collaboration with the Common Health Coalition.

This unique program provides not only valuable training but also crucial financial support, empowering these journalists to craft impactful stories that expose the often-overlooked intersection of public health and healthcare delivery.

“Rebuilding trust in accurate health information is at the core of what the Common Health Coalition strives for,” states Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, MSc, who chairs the Coalition.”This fellowship equips journalists to deliver evidence-based health stories that earn the confidence of readers and empower them to make informed decisions on critical health issues.”

The fellowship recipients represent a diverse range of talent, united by their passion for uncovering significant health stories often relegated to the shadows. They will delve into pressing issues such as the disparities in disease prevention and access to healthcare for immigrant workers, rural populations, and senior citizens, among others.

The Common health Coalition, dedicated to fostering a more unified and equitable health system, has generously committed $50,000 to launch this vital initiative.

among the remarkable cohort of 2025 fellows are:

Ted Alcorn: An independant journalist who writes extensively on health and justice, contributing to numerous publications. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service. Alcorn’s project will focus on the stark differences in cancer treatment and outcomes between rural and urban areas.

Jamal Jordan: A multimedia documentarian and current audience editor at The Washington Post,jordan is the author of “queer Love in Color,” a book of photos and stories documenting his New York Times project of the same name. His project will explore how public health officials, organizers, and community members are addressing America’s growing loneliness epidemic among seniors as a public health issue.* Eleanor Klibanoff: The Texas Tribune’s women’s health reporter based in Austin, Klibanoff covers a wide range of crucial health issues, including abortion, maternal healthcare, gender-based violence, and LGBTQ+ issues.

This fellowship is poised to shine a much-needed spotlight on health disparities and the urgent need for solutions.

Shining a Light on Public Health: Three Journalists Dive Deep into critical Issues

Three talented journalists are embarking on a mission to shed light on the complex public health challenges facing communities across the United States. Armed with prestigious grants and a passion for impactful reporting, these fellows are ready to delve deeply into pressing issues. “Nuanced reporting on these types of complex public-health issues takes time and focus, and we are thrilled to help these journalists create the space to do this crucial work,” said Ed Kelley, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute.”We also are confident this reporting will reveal the impact of solutions-oriented ideas that could make real changes in public health.”

Each fellow will receive up to $7,500 to support their six-month investigative journey.Their meticulously researched and thoughtfully crafted projects will be published or distributed by July 2025, ensuring widespread reach and impact. Throughout their journey, they’ll benefit from extensive training provided by the National Press Club Journalism Institute, encompassing public health, data analysis, and essential reporting resources. They’ll also benefit from invaluable mentorship from leading experts in the fields of public health and journalism, guiding their research and amplifying their insights.

The selection process, overseen by a distinguished panel of experts, included Dr. Céline Gounder, an internist, infectious disease specialist, and epidemiologist with impressive credentials, including training at prestigious institutions such as Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the university of Washington, and Harvard university. Beyond her academic prowess, Dr. Gounder is a respected figure in the field, serving as a CBS News Medical Contributor, a Senior Fellow at KFF, and Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News.

Joining Dr. Gounder were fellow judges Pien Huang, a reporter on NPR’s science desk specializing in public health and health disparities, and Lygia Navarro, an award-winning bilingual and disabled independent journalist whose narrative-driven work, primarily focused on health and Latine communities, brings a unique and valuable outlook to the fellowship selection process.

Shining Light on Public Health: Meet Eleanor Klibanoff

Eleanor Klibanoff, a dedicated reporter for The Texas Tribune focusing on women’s health, has been selected for a prestigious fellowship aimed at bolstering public health reporting. Her focus? Uncovering the stark disparities in maternal healthcare access across Texas.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how social determinants of health impact people’s lives, especially women’s health,” Klibanoff says. “When I started covering reproductive health in Texas, I realized how critical access to quality maternal healthcare is for women and their families.”

klibanoff’s fellowship, part of a new initiative spearheaded by the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the Common Health Coalition, will provide her with the resources and mentorship to delve deeply into this complex issue. Her work will shed light on the systemic challenges contributing to these disparities, giving a voice to the women most affected.

the public health reporting fellowship program recognizes the profound impact of investigative journalism in holding systems accountable and driving positive change.

Shining a Light on Maternal Health Disparities in Texas

exploring the complexities of maternal healthcare access and outcomes within Texas, revealing the systemic issues impacting vulnerable communities.

A recent fellowship project shines a spotlight on a critical issue affecting Texas: disparities in maternal health outcomes. Facing a maternal mortality rate higher than the national average, Texas reveals stark inequalities across communities, notably impacting Black and Hispanic women.

“Texas faces important disparities in maternal health outcomes. The maternal mortality rate in Texas is higher than the national average, and certain communities, including Black and Hispanic women, experience even greater risks,” explains the researcher behind the project.Their aim? To unravel the systemic complexities contributing to these disparities, meticulously examining everything from access to prenatal care and the quality of postpartum support to potential implicit bias within the healthcare system.

Driven by the desire to advocate for positive change, the fellowship project seeks to empower women through awareness. Their goal? “I want my reporting to empower women to advocate for their own health,” shares the researcher, “and inspire policymakers to create a more equitable and supportive habitat for all texans.” They believe sharing personal stories can inspire meaningful action.

“Pursue your curiosity! Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions, dig deep into complex issues, and challenge the status quo,” advises the researcher, encouraging aspiring journalists passionate about public health reporting. Public health reporting, they emphasize, holds the potential to drive significant change, making it an incredibly rewarding path.

What specific systemic challenges have you identified as contributing to maternal health disparities in Texas?

shining a Light on Maternal Health Disparities in Texas

An Interview with Eleanor klibanoff

Eleanor Klibanoff, a dedicated reporter for the Texas Tribune focusing on women’s health, is tackling a critical issue: disparities in maternal healthcare access across Texas.

Archyde: What sparked your interest in this specific area of public health reporting?

Klibanoff: I’ve always been fascinated by how social determinants of health–like where you live, the color of your skin, and your economic background–impact peopel’s lives.When I started covering reproductive health in Texas, I realized how vital access to quality maternal healthcare is for women and their families.

I started seeing glaring disparities in maternal health outcomes across the state, notably for black and Hispanic women. These inequities are deeply rooted in systemic issues, and I felt compelled to shed light on this urgent problem.

Archyde: How will this fellowship help you in your investigative journey?

Klibanoff: This fellowship is invaluable. It provides me with the time, resources, and mentorship to truly delve into this complex issue.

I’ll have access to experts in maternal health, data analysis tools, and guidance from experienced journalists who have tackled similar projects. I’m eager to use this opportunity to uncover the systemic challenges contributing to these disparities and amplify the voices of those moast affected.

Archyde: What do you hope to achieve with your reporting?

Klibanoff: I want my reporting to empower women to advocate for their own health and inspire policy-makers to create a more equitable and supportive healthcare system for all Texans.

I also hope to spark a broader conversation about the social determinants of health and how they influence maternal health outcomes. By shining a spotlight on these disparities, I believe we can move closer to achieving health equity for all women in texas.