Suggested Stories: Global Health

CHOOSE YOUR STORY

Global Health includes stories about health science, inequities, mental health, outbreaks and epidemics, food security, clean water, and more. Explore the stories below to find one that interests you. Then, use this worksheet to support you with writing a letter that asks a decisionmaker to take action.

CONTEST GUIDELINES

Stories for Grades 3 and Up

STORY	MEDIA	PUBLICATION	CONTENT WARNINGS
“Wildfire Smoke Can Cause Health Problems, Even Death” by Keith Matheny and Eric Seals	Text	Detroit Free Press	N/A
“Next Generation of Doctors Prepares To Tackle Rural Health Care Shortage in West Virginia” by William Brangham, Caleb Hellerman, and Matt Ehrichs	Video with transcript	PBS NewsHour	N/A
“How Nurses Overcome Challenges While Treating Patients With Limited English Proficiency” by William Brangham and Caleb Hellerman	Video with transcript	PBS NewsHour	N/A
“This ‘Super Banana’ Was Designed To Save Lives. Will It Matter That It’s Orange?” by Agostino Petroni	Text	National Geographic	N/A
“Public Health Impact of the Drainage System in Lagos: A Photo Essay” by Precious Williams	Photo, Text	Pulitzer Center	N/A

Stories for Grades 6 and Up

STORY	MEDIA	PUBLICATION	CONTENT WARNINGS
“‘I Just Don’t Want To Die’: Black Pregnant Women Are Turning to Midwives for Personalized Care—And a Better Chance at Survival” by Karen Kasmauski and Louis Hansen	Photo, Audio, Text	Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism	N/A
“How Extreme Heat Impacts Your Brain and Mental Health” by Aryn Baker	Text	TIME	Mentions of suicide
“Health Care Professionals Who Are Transgender and Non-binary Are Changing the Exclusionary Health Care System” by Rachael Sorcher	Photo, Text	Pulitzer Center	N/A
“Lebanon: Drama Therapist Helps Inmates With Mental Illnesses While Pushing for Reform” by Meera Santhanam	Photo, Text	Middle East Eye	N/A
“A Nigerian Community Where Tap Water Smells Like Gasoline” by Omolola Afolabi	Photo, Graphs, Text	Premium Times	N/A

Stories for Grades 9 and Up

STORY	MEDIA	PUBLICATION	CONTENT WARNINGS
“Could a Conflict-Borne Superbug Bring On Our Next Pandemic?” by Eli Cahan	Text	Rolling Stone	Descriptions of suffering from injuries and illness
“Neglected and Exposed: Toxic Air Lingers in a Texas Latino Community, Revealing Failures in State’s Air Monitoring System” by Alejandra Martinez et al.	Video, Photo, Text	The Texas Tribune	N/A
“Those Who Don't Exist: Long COVID in Mexico” by Alice Pipitone and Quetzalli Blanco	Video, Photo, Text	palabra.	N/A
“Lassa Fever Is Surging in West Africa. Researchers Want To Know Why” by Leslie Roberts	Photo, Text	Science	Descriptions of suffering from illness
“Why One Indian Woman Dies of Cervical Cancer Every Seven Minutes” by Swagata Yadavar	Photo, Text	Behan Box	N/A
"Millions of Veterans Got Health Care and Benefits Under the PACT Act. Thousands Left Out Want the Same Chance." by Patricia Kime	Text	Military.com	N/A
“Karoshi: A Deep Look Into Japan’s Unforgiving Working Culture” by Marcus Santillanes	Text	Pulitzer Center	Discussion of suicide and mental health crises
“An Exodus of Nurses Has Caused a ‘Medical Brain Drain’ in Nigeria. Are Rich Countries To Blame?” by Aurora Almendral and Ibanga Isine	Photo, Text	Quartz	N/A
“Expecting Extremes: How Much Heat is Dangerous During Pregnancy?” by Meredith Wadman	Text	Science	N/A
“Addiction Ravaged My Family and Tribe. I’m Fighting To Get Them Back.” by Judith Surber and Justin Maxon	Photo, Text	The New York Times	Descriptions of drug addiction and overdose