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Lesson Plan March 3, 2017

Global Health Journalism: A Powerful Tool for MPH Students

Grades:

All grades
Author:
SECTIONS

“Cancer’s Lonely Soldier in Uganda” by Joanne Silberner

  1. How does this story (article, video, and audio) address perceptions of the public health burden of cancer in Uganda?
  2. Who is the target audience for this story and why does it matter?
  3. Cancer detection and treatment at a country-level are very complex. What are some techniques the journalist uses to connect the audience to these concepts?

"An Ounce of Prevention" by Joanne Silberner

  1. How does the journalist use detail to make the listener and reader feel connected to the subject matter?
  2. What emotions does this story evoke?
  3. How might this style of story work for a wide range of public health topics?

“Seattle Group’s Training Program Saves Lives of Moms and Babies in Kenya” by Paul Nevin

  1. This story utilizes both photography and writing; what does each type of media contribute to the story?
  2. Are the Seattle-based organization’s efforts the key message?
  3. What role do public health statistics play in this story?
     

“A Christian Religious Extremist on Anti-American Jihad in Kenya” by Paul Nevin

  1. Is this a public health story? Why or why not?
  2. Does this article expose an important issue or give undue publicity to an individual?
  3. How does this article approach a public health matter in a way that traditional academic research might not?

“A Nurse’s Desperate Plea: Show Me the Ebola Money” by Karin Huster (http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/12/19/371861712/a-nurses-desperate-plea-show-me-the-ebola-money)

  1. How does the author’s role as a frontline health worker shape the article?
  2. Do you think the messages delivered in this article would be received differently if they were not written in the first person?
  3. How does the way in which news media is currently consumed create an opportunity for this type of journalism?

“How to Write about Africa” by Binyavanga Wainaina (http://granta.com/how-to-write-about-africa/)

  1. What’s the message of this article?
  2. How do you know if you are perpetuating stereotypes or empowering a marginalized community?
  3. Have you seen the type of journalism to which the author alludes in the article?
  4. Is this problem exclusive to Africa? 

“How John Moore Covered the Ebola Outbreak”  (http://http://time.com/3627482/photographing-ebola/)

  1. What emotions do the photographer’s images evoke?
  2. Some of the images depict incredibly personal moments, yet they were widely distributed throughout the world. How does that make you feel as a journalism consumer and as a public health advocate?
  3. What role does consent play in this type of photography?

Radi-Aid and The Radiator Awards (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLqyuxm96k and http://www.rustyradiator.com/ )

  1. How are the videos and awards relevant to a discussion about global health journalism?
  2. Compare and contrast the Golden Radiator and Rusty Radiator award videos. Which style is more commonly consumed by the general publics?
  3. Do you agree with the criticisms? What would your response be to people who say, “Well at least they are trying to do some good instead of ignoring the world’s problems?” 

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