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Training Program: Effective Use of Data in Public Health Journalism

Apply for Vital Strategies' Training Program.

Vital Strategies Training Program: Effective Use of Data in Public Health Journalism

Details about the next workshop will be posted here when available.

As data become more prevalent and accessible, good reporting on public health – at the community, national, and global levels – requires journalists who are versed in data use.

This hands-on training is designed to enable participants to: 

  • Understand the role that data play in a good story 
  • Identify major sources of credible public health data 
  • Access and understand data reports 
  • Assess public health data claims made by the public and private sectors 
  • Appropriately use data in storytelling 
  • Draft the outline of a data rich story 

Program Description

This workshop will build the data use skills of a select group of journalists to develop stories related to public health. The training will provide a detailed overview of public health data sources and build skills related to data use in reporting. Topics covered include: common data-related terms and concepts; primary sources of public health data; basic methods for analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing data; and effective tactics for interviewing public health experts and leaders about data-rich topics. Participants will be guided in developing a public health-related data story for publication.