A peer-reviewed Ho, Ho, Ho: Highlights from the BMJ’s Christmas issue
After another tough year of news, we wanted to wrap up the year for journalists with a fun feature, courtesy of studies in this year’s BMJ Christmas issue.
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When water safety violations arise, quick public notification can help prevent millions of dollars in costs
Federal rules no longer require community water systems to tell the public about certain bacterial water contamination discovered during routine testing. But new research finds that prompt notification leads people to buy safe, bottled water — and avoid illness.
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Five years after Flint water crisis, mental health problems persist
A study based on survey of Flint, Michigan, residents finds 1 in 5 Flint residents met the criteria for depression, 1 in 4 for PTSD and 1 in 10 for both depression and PTSD, estimates that exceed regional, national and global averages.
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How the health care sector contributes to climate change: a research roundup and explainer
The medical system is responsible for a surprisingly large percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, and the toll is especially heavy in the U.S. We look at how governments are responding and what research reveals — and offer some timely story ideas for journalists.
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Story ideas from the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book: Final edition of 2022
The Beige Book offers a high-level glimpse of current economic sentiment across the bank’s 12 districts. We reveal story ideas from the final edition for 2022, including rural health care woes in Mississippi and high-end office perks in Richmond.
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Can red flag laws curb gun violence? Here’s what the research says.
There is research suggesting red flag laws are effective in preventing suicides, along with a small but growing body of research on red flag laws and mass shootings.
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Thanksgiving dinner and talking politics: Research suggests they can (and maybe should) mix
Politics and Thanksgiving dinner might sound like a nightmare recipe. But research suggests talking political turkey just might be a good way to ease partisanship in the U.S.
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Covering Black Friday and winter holiday shopping: Research and resources
This updated collection of research examines topics such as holiday pricing, shopping psychology and Black Friday customer aggression. We also spotlight several new reports that may be helpful to journalists covering holiday shopping.
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The 2022 Lancet climate change and health report: Dire warnings and glimmers of hope
The seventh annual report finds climate change is increasingly undermining every pillar of good health and compounding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts. While mitigation efforts remain inadequate, the report does offer some hope.
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How the news media – long in thrall to Trump – can cover his new run for president responsibly
“If they are to serve the public interest, journalists cannot apply the ordinary rules for covering candidates,” writes media scholar Thomas Patterson. “They are reporting on a politician who regularly defies democratic norms and lies with abandon.”
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