Writing an Article About Health
Health is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of all human beings and is dependent on the fullest co-operation of individuals and nations.
Health can be improved by encouraging healthful behaviors, such as regular exercise and sleep, and by reducing or avoiding unhealthy behaviors, like smoking and excessive stress. But other factors – such as the quality of schools, the safety of neighborhoods, and the economic well-being of communities – have also been shown to have major impacts on individuals’ ability to make healthy choices. The traditional targets for intervention have been specific diseases or behaviors, and categorical funding streams for both research and the delivery of services encourage this approach. The field model of the determinants of health, on the other hand, encourages consideration of a wider array of targets.
The current COVID-19 pandemic illustrates that health is not a static construct; rather, it is fluid across the life span with adaptation to life circumstances at its core. This broader view invites new ways to assess health as it is experienced and understood, as well as how it may be sustained in rapidly changing contexts.
This is especially important in a time when the health of people and communities has become more complex. Whether working at a fast-food restaurant or driving to work, we now often encounter situations that affect our sense of well-being, including the level of stress in our jobs and lives, the availability of affordable healthcare, the quality of local foods, and whether our neighborhoods are safe and supportive.
Writing an article about Health requires a lot of different skills and approaches. First and foremost, the topic must be interesting enough to engage your readers’ attention. But once you have a compelling idea, there are many other aspects of the writing process to consider, from research and data collection to formatting and publication.
Once you have an idea of what kind of health article you want to write, it is time to think about your audience. What kinds of questions are your readers asking? What will they do with the information you provide? The answers to these questions will help you further define your audience and guide the development of your article.
Format plays a role in your article’s focus, too. Will it be a short news story, an in-depth feature article, or a profile of a researcher? The answer to these questions will influence how your audience responds and will determine what kind of information you need to gather. It will also impact the audience’s reaction to your final product. By thinking about your audience and the format of your article in advance, you can ensure that your work will have the greatest impact possible. The most successful articles are those that reach the right people at just the right time.
Health is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of all human beings and is dependent on the fullest co-operation of individuals and nations. Health can be improved by encouraging healthful behaviors, such as regular exercise and sleep, and by reducing or avoiding unhealthy behaviors, like smoking and excessive stress. But other factors – such as the quality of schools, the safety of neighborhoods, and the economic well-being of communities – have also been shown to have major impacts on individuals’ ability to make healthy choices. The traditional targets for intervention have been specific diseases or behaviors, and categorical funding streams for both research and the delivery of services encourage this approach. The field model of the determinants of health, on the other hand, encourages consideration of a wider array of targets. The current COVID-19 pandemic illustrates that health is not a static construct; rather, it is fluid across the life span with adaptation to life circumstances at its core. This broader view invites new ways to assess health as it is experienced and understood, as well as how it may be sustained in rapidly changing contexts. This is especially important in a time when the health of people and communities has become more complex. Whether working at a fast-food restaurant or driving to work, we now often encounter situations that affect our sense of well-being, including the level of stress in our jobs and lives, the availability of affordable healthcare, the quality of local foods, and whether our neighborhoods are safe and supportive. Writing an article about Health requires a lot of different skills and approaches. First and foremost, the topic must be interesting enough to engage your readers’ attention. But once you have a compelling idea, there are many other aspects of the writing process to consider, from research and data collection to formatting and publication. Once you have an idea of what kind of health article you want to write, it is time to think about your audience. What kinds of questions are your readers asking? What will they do with the information you provide? The answers to these questions will help you further define your audience and guide the development of your article. Format plays a role in your article’s focus, too. Will it be a short news story, an in-depth feature article, or a profile of a researcher? The answer to these questions will influence how your audience responds and will determine what kind of information you need to gather. It will also impact the audience’s reaction to your final product. By thinking about your audience and the format of your article in advance, you can ensure that your work will have the greatest impact possible. The most successful articles are those that reach the right people at just the right time.