Health Writer

🚨 HEALTH WRITING OPPORTUNITY (GLOBAL) — $300 to $800 per article 🚨

A serious opening for experienced health and medical writers looking to step into high-level, evidence-based journalism.

Wellness Letter — in collaboration with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health — is expanding its contributor bench for its long-running monthly consumer health publication.

This is not wellness fluff. It is science-first health reporting built for an educated audience that expects precision, not hype.

They are actively seeking freelance health journalists who can translate peer-reviewed research into clear, practical, and responsible guidance on nutrition, sleep, exercise, and preventive health.

💼 WHAT YOU’LL WRITE:

• In-depth feature articles (1,000–1,200 words)

• News briefs breaking down new studies 🧬

• “Ask the Expert” evidence-based Q&A pieces

• Research-driven health explainers for general readers

🧠 WHAT MATTERS MOST:

• Ability to read full peer-reviewed studies

• Strong understanding of study design & limitations

• Clear distinction between correlation vs causation

• Writing that is accessible without dumbing things down

• Comfort with uncertainty and scientific nuance

This publication rewards writers who ask: “How strong is the evidence?” — and then answer it honestly.

⚙️ WORKFLOW:

• Assignments are editor-led

• Writers independently source and evaluate research

• Features typically take 3–4 weeks

• News briefs: 1–2 weeks

• New writers start with shorter assignments before scaling up

💰 COMPENSATION:

• Short pieces: $300–$400

• Ask the Expert: $350–$400

• Features: $600–$800 per article

Long-term contributors may receive regular monthly assignments.

📌 WHO SHOULD APPLY:

This is ideal for experienced health, science, or medical journalists who:

• Write for educated, detail-oriented audiences

• Understand biomedical research interpretation

• Can produce clean, publication-ready drafts

• Thrive in rigorous editorial environments

Opportunity Overview

The Wellness Letter, a long-running monthly consumer health publication produced in collaboration with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, is expanding its roster of contributing health writers.

The publication is actively recruiting experienced freelance health journalists and medical writers for ongoing assignments. This is not lifestyle wellness content. It is evidence-driven health journalism focused on translating peer-reviewed science into practical, readable guidance for an educated adult audience.

Writers selected will join a small, recurring contributor bench for consistent assignments.

What the Publication Covers

The Wellness Letter focuses on science-backed health communication across:

• Nutrition and dietary science
• Physical activity and exercise physiology
• Sleep research and behavioral health
• Preventive medicine and everyday health practices
• Clinical research interpretation for general audiences

The readership is highly educated and expects precise, evidence-based reporting with no oversimplification or hype.

Editorial Positioning & Writing Style

Writers are expected to operate at a high editorial standard grounded in scientific literacy and disciplined reporting.

Key expectations include:

• Clear interpretation of peer-reviewed medical research
• Strong ability to assess study design and limitations
• Distinction between correlation, causation, and speculation
• Balanced reporting of evidence strength and uncertainty
• Translation of complex biomedical concepts into accessible language

Tone is authoritative but restrained—closer to clinical explanation than lifestyle commentary.

This is not trend-driven wellness writing. It is structured, research-led health journalism.

Types of Assignments

Selected contributors may work on:

• Feature Articles (1,000–1,200 words)
  Deep research-driven health stories based on scientific literature.
• WELLNESS NEWS Briefs
  Short analysis of new studies or guidelines contextualized within existing research.
• Ask the Expert Pieces (600–800 words)
  Evidence-based responses to reader-style health questions.

Each assignment is assigned by the editorial team. Writers are expected to independently source and analyze peer-reviewed research.

Workflow & Editorial Process

• Features typically require 3–4 weeks from assignment to first draft
• News briefs: 1–2 weeks turnaround
• Editors may request multiple revision rounds, especially for new contributors
• Writers must be comfortable with rigorous editorial feedback and scientific recalibration
• New contributors usually begin with shorter assignments before advancing to features

Key Requirements

Ideal candidates will have:

• Proven experience in health journalism, medical writing, or science reporting
• Ability to read and interpret full peer-reviewed journal articles
• Understanding of epidemiology, clinical study design, and evidence hierarchies
• Strong editorial discipline and clean drafting ability
• Experience writing for educated, non-specialist audiences

Editorial Signature Requirement

Every major feature ends with a structured “BOTTOM LINE” section that must:

• Clearly summarize the strength and limitations of the evidence
• Provide actionable, science-aligned guidance
• Reflect nuance rather than oversimplified conclusions

Compensation

• Shorter pieces: $300–$400
• Ask the Expert: $350–$400
• Researched features: $600–$800 per article

Writers who demonstrate consistency may receive recurring monthly assignments.

How to Apply

Applicants should send:

• A short introduction highlighting experience in consumer health or medical writing
• 2–3 relevant writing samples (evidence-based reporting preferred)
• Typical turnaround time for feature-length assignments

Email: [click apply]

Preference is given to writers experienced in serving informed, older audiences and capable of disciplined, evidence-driven reporting.