Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Print and Digital Publishing
Single or Special Issue
Silver
Our 2024 issue, “Bridging Gaps: Navigating myths, lies, and other health threats,” shared stories of the Brigham’s varied efforts to counter health-related mis- and disinformation and improve health literacy. We explored four topics deeply: social media, nutrition and weight management, vaccines, and health literacy. We devoted shorter, single-spread departments to additional myth-busting health information as well as news highlights focused on research and care.
What was the most impactful part of your entry?
It was positively staggering to be documenting, in real time, the corrosive effects of health mis- and disinformation. And, of course, more than a year after we published this issue, our lack of anticipation for how much worse it would get seems naive, almost quaint.
What is one thing you learned from your entry/experience?
The biggest challenge was less about the magazine contents and more to do with the organizational upheaval that was all around us as our hospital integrated with Massachusetts General Hospital. The integration was announced incrementally, which added to a general lack of clarity. We didn't know what people's titles would be by the time the issue published, or if they'd still be affiliated with the Brigham. It all went right down to the wire, and now the Fall 2024 Brigham magazine feels like part of a time capsule from a bygone era.
Contact: Joy Howard
jhoward6@bwh.harvard.edu