The annual contest, which drew 400 entries, was set up three years ago to recognise and commend the best health reporting across nine categories covering print, broadcast and online media. The US-based AHCJ said it created the awards because of concerns that special interest groups were seeking to sway media coverage by awarding large prizes for coverage of medical and health issues. No health care companies or agencies fund the association's awards and contest entries were screened and judged by 44 fellow journalists working for such reputable publications as USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. "Across all categories, the entries were outstanding," said Julie Appleby, co-chair of the contest and a USA Today health writer. "This year's winners clearly explained topics that touch so many." Charles Ornstein, contest co-chair and Health Policy Reporter for the Los Angeles Times added: "As one judge told us, choosing the best of the best was "tough, tough, tough" and "richly rewarding."" Ms Barnes was awarded third place in the trade/online journals/newsletters category for her notable Insulin Series, which appeared on In-PharmaTechnologist.com last year. As millions of diabetics around the world wait in hope for a more convenient way to receive their insulin, the Insulin Series identified the imminent launch of the world's first non-injectable insulin treatment as a pivotal development within the industry and was a very popular, informative and influential series covering the developments from both a human, and an industry business perspective. The series began with a snapshot of the insulin delivery industry, followed by a rundown of the developments in non-injectable insulin being made by the dominant industry players. It then reviewed the innovations being made by the budding biotech companies that are also now trying to compete in this space. The launch of the world's first non-injectable insulin and its potential impact on the industry were the focus of the next stories in the series. The final articles took a look at the possible winners and losers from the changing state of this lucrative industry. The awards will be presented at Health Journalism 2007, the eighth annual conference of the AHCJ on March 17 this week in Los Angeles. Among the speakers at the conference will be California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a slew of Hollywood writers, producers and actors. AHCJ, founded in 1998, is an independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing public understanding of health care issues. Its mission is to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting, writing and editing.
