Maternal & Child Health Reporter

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Maternal & Child HealthReporterLocation:

Little Rock, ArkansasJob Type:

Non-exempt, full-time, in-office positionFor every 1,000 babies born in Arkansas, eight die beforetheir first birthday. The state's infant mortality rate is nearly 60% higherthan the national average. Pregnant mothers enter a system ill-equipped to carefor them. For every 100,000 women 15 to 44 in Arkansas, there are just 52maternity care providers, the lowest share among the 50 states. The nationalrate is more than three times higher.

Hospital closures, limited access to care, mental healthgaps and adverse policy decisions are among the litany of challenges Arkansasmothers and their children confront.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is seeking a reporter to join a three-person health team (Health Beat Lab Editor and Rural Health Reporter) to coverissues affecting women, children and families through a public health,accountability and community-impact lens. We believe this work will enhanceunderstanding and increase accountability for those who make the criticaldecisions affecting the lives of families. The person in this role must belocated in or willing to relocate to Arkansas.

This reporter will produce breaking news, enterprise,explanatory and investigative stories focused on maternal and infant mortality,pregnancy and postpartum care, pediatric health, rural healthcare access,Medicaid and insurance, vaccination and public health, reproductive healthpolicy, mental health, childcare systems and health disparities.

This beat offers the opportunity to tell deeply humanstories while also holding institutions accountable and helping communitiesbetter understand the systems shaping health outcomes. We are looking forurgent, consequential stories and sustained coverage. We are looking forstories with impact.

The ideal candidate is curious, compassionate,audience-focused and comfortable balancing data-driven accountability reportingwith deeply personal storytelling. Experience translating complex medical orscientific information into clear, accessible prose is strongly preferred.

ResponsibilitiesProduce breaking news, enterprise and investigative storiesfocused on maternal and child health, with particular attention to issuesaffecting children 3 and younger.

Cover healthcare systems, policy decisions and public healthtrends affecting women, children and familiesPursue and analyze public records, health data and researchto identify trends, disparities and accountability storiesBuild trusted relationships with healthcare professionals,researchers, advocates and affected familiesReport on issues impacting rural communities and underservedpopulationsConsistently deliver human-centered stories powered bystorytelling and supported by data and details from public recordsTranslate complex health and scientific information intoaccessible, audience-friendly journalismCenter equity and community voices in coverageCollaborate with visuals, audience and engagement teams onstorytelling and distribution strategiesEnsure stories are accompanied by powerful images and videoand graphics that illustrate the dataParticipate in community listening sessions and engagementeffortsContribute to newsletters, social media, video or othermultimedia storytelling as neededPreferred QualificationsBachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or relatedfield requiredExperience covering health, public policy, education orsocial issuesStrong reporting, interviewing and storytelling skillsAbility to analyze and contextualize data and researchUnderstanding of healthcare systems and public health issuesExperience with trauma-informed interviewing and sensitivetopicsKnowledge of disparities affecting rural, low-income andhistorically underserved communitiesAbility to produce quick-turn, enterprise and investigativestoriesCollaborative mindset and strong audience awarenessSkill in use of data toolsAbout Arkansas Health BeatThis position is the first role being hired as part ofArkansas Health Beat, a new statewide health reporting lab focused onaddressing the poor health outcomes affecting Arkansas communities.

Arkansas Health Beat will produce impactful, community-centeredjournalism focused on healthcare access, public health, accountability and thesystems shaping the wellbeing of Arkansans across the state.

The Maternal & Child Health Reporter will be one ofthree positions hired as part of the initiative and will play a foundationalrole in shaping the direction, priorities and impact of this reporting effort.

The other positions we are hiring for include a dedicated health editor and arural health reporter.

We offer a complete benefits package that includes paidvacation, holidays, sick leave, personal days, and parental leave. Takeadvantage of extensive health, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage, aswell as long-term disability and retirement plans for your future well-being. We support your well-being through the EmployeeAssistance Program and Behavioral Health support, offering extra help wheneveryou need it.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is an equal opportunityemployer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sexincluding pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin,disability, age 40 or older, or genetic information, including family medicalhistory or any other legally protected class or status.

This is a safety-sensitive position. A candidate must pass adrug screening and background checks and have a driving record that meetsrequirements set in the "Personal Vehicle Used for Company Business" policy.