Information Saves Lives: Health Response Fund

The government’s recent lifting of the public health emergency brought COVID19 back to news headlines, but now is not the time to lose momentum. The virus continues to affect the lives of millions, even as news coverage and data sources are declining. Affordable testing is becoming less and less accessible, and only 17 percent of all Americans sought out the most recent bivalent booster as of May 10, says the CDC. 

As the world of public health evolves and the instances of emergencies related to health, climate, and their intersection will only continue to increase in frequency, Internews and Internews’ Health Journalism Network remain committed to building health reporting capacity and skills in marginalized and vulnerable communities globally. 

Since our last report, we’ve: 

• Announced our Mercury Phoenix Trust HIV/AIDS Reporting Fellows: ten mid-career/senior level health and science reporters who will receive fellowships (of $1,000 USD each) to look at new, unique or underreported angles of HIV/AIDS with a particular focus on innovative science research that leads to policy and action. 
• Published more resources for journalists, including a guide to reporting on the human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine to prevent Cervical Cancer. 
• Hosted a World Malaria Day event on Twitter Spaces, moderated by HJN member and Nigerian radio journalist, Babatunde Okunlola.
• Facilitated a virtual media dialogue, “Journalism in an Era of Epidemics: Reporting on Life Course Vaccinations” across the Balkan region. 
• Hosted “A shot of truth: an undertold story of hope against cervical cancer” webinar at the Sabin Vaccine Institute’s Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN) second annual conference in Bangkok, helping journalists explore in-depth HPV vaccination and cervical cancer reporting and identifying gaps in public dialogue. 

“Without information, there can be no awareness about vaccination, let alone across the lifespan. Information needs to be two-way and rooted in understanding and respect. The media not only conveys messages from medical personnel to the public, but it also uplifts the voices of marginalized groups to reach doctors.” 

- Dr. Dragoslav Popovic, immunization expert and World Health Organization Adviser 

We sincerely thank you for your donations, on behalf of our organization and the journalists serving their communities around the world. It wouldn’t be possible without you.