How to Write a Health Feature
Health is a multidimensional concept and it can be difficult to pin down. It may be seen as a combination of an individual’s experiences, perceptions and capabilities (the capacity to participate in society), physical or mental well-being and social functioning. It is also defined as the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.
Various definitions of health have been proposed by scholars and organizations. Each definition has a different focus and approach. Some definitions emphasize an experiential element of health and others stress the capacity that health provides to participate in society or economy. There is a growing recognition that the experience of health and the capacity to participate are not separate from the environment in which we live, work and play. This is reflected in the term ‘health in context’, which emphasizes that health is not just a state of being but also a process.
The different perspectives on Health are influenced by many factors that influence the health of an individual or community, including general socioeconomic conditions; the environment in which people grow, live and work; cultural beliefs and values; and personal and lifestyle choices (Department of Health 2021). These are known as the ‘health determinants’. Health determinants may be risk factors or protective factors, and they vary by population groups.
To write a health feature, first think about who your audience will be and what their needs are. This can help you focus your article. For example, you might write an article to inform a group of parents or a newspaper readership, or you might target a specialist audience such as medical doctors.
Once you have decided on a topic, research your subject carefully. You can start by looking at published studies and articles, news stories, blog posts and scientific conferences. You can also sign up for email alerts from journals that cover your area of interest. You can find a wide range of medical news, opinion pieces and academic research on any subject in the library or online.
Finally, you can ask experts in your field for advice. They can point you to the best sources and give you an idea of what to look for in a new study or finding out about new treatments.
When writing a health feature, it is important to keep in mind that the article shouldn’t contain your own opinion on the topic. It is tempting to include your opinions in a health feature, but this will confuse the reader. Unless you are an experienced health writer, it is best to have someone else read your piece and provide feedback.
It’s also important to read your piece out loud to make sure it flows and that there are no grammatical errors or structural problems. It’s helpful to have several pairs of eyes on your work, so send it out to friends and family members who are willing to give you honest feedback. You can also use tools such as Grammarly or Hemingway to check your writing for grammatical errors and other issues.
Health is a multidimensional concept and it can be difficult to pin down. It may be seen as a combination of an individual’s experiences, perceptions and capabilities (the capacity to participate in society), physical or mental well-being and social functioning. It is also defined as the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Various definitions of health have been proposed by scholars and organizations. Each definition has a different focus and approach. Some definitions emphasize an experiential element of health and others stress the capacity that health provides to participate in society or economy. There is a growing recognition that the experience of health and the capacity to participate are not separate from the environment in which we live, work and play. This is reflected in the term ‘health in context’, which emphasizes that health is not just a state of being but also a process. The different perspectives on Health are influenced by many factors that influence the health of an individual or community, including general socioeconomic conditions; the environment in which people grow, live and work; cultural beliefs and values; and personal and lifestyle choices (Department of Health 2021). These are known as the ‘health determinants’. Health determinants may be risk factors or protective factors, and they vary by population groups. To write a health feature, first think about who your audience will be and what their needs are. This can help you focus your article. For example, you might write an article to inform a group of parents or a newspaper readership, or you might target a specialist audience such as medical doctors. Once you have decided on a topic, research your subject carefully. You can start by looking at published studies and articles, news stories, blog posts and scientific conferences. You can also sign up for email alerts from journals that cover your area of interest. You can find a wide range of medical news, opinion pieces and academic research on any subject in the library or online. Finally, you can ask experts in your field for advice. They can point you to the best sources and give you an idea of what to look for in a new study or finding out about new treatments. When writing a health feature, it is important to keep in mind that the article shouldn’t contain your own opinion on the topic. It is tempting to include your opinions in a health feature, but this will confuse the reader. Unless you are an experienced health writer, it is best to have someone else read your piece and provide feedback. It’s also important to read your piece out loud to make sure it flows and that there are no grammatical errors or structural problems. It’s helpful to have several pairs of eyes on your work, so send it out to friends and family members who are willing to give you honest feedback. You can also use tools such as Grammarly or Hemingway to check your writing for grammatical errors and other issues.