Maternal & Child Health Reporter

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Maternal & Child Health Reporter Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Job Type: Non-exempt, full-time, in-office position For every 1,000 babies born in Arkansas, eight die before their first birthday. The state’s infant mortality rate is nearly 60% higher than the national average. Pregnant mothers enter a system ill-equipped to care for them. For every 100,000 women 15 to 44 in Arkansas, there are just 52 maternity care providers, the lowest share among the 50 states. The national rate is more than three times higher. Hospital closures, limited access to care, mental health gaps and adverse policy decisions are among the litany of challenges Arkansas mothers 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 cover issues affecting women, children and families through a public health, accountability and community-impact lens. We believe this work will enhance understanding and increase accountability for those who make the critical decisions affecting the lives of families. The person in this role must be located 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 health policy, mental health, childcare systems and health disparities. This beat offers the opportunity to tell deeply human stories while also holding institutions accountable and helping communities better understand the systems shaping health outcomes. We are looking for urgent, consequential stories and sustained coverage. We are looking for stories with impact. The ideal candidate is curious, compassionate, audience-focused and comfortable balancing data-driven accountability reporting with deeply personal storytelling. Experience translating complex medical or scientific information into clear, accessible prose is strongly preferred. Responsibilities

• Produce breaking news, enterprise and investigative stories focused on maternal and child health, with particular attention to issues affecting children 3 and younger.
• Cover healthcare systems, policy decisions and public health trends affecting women, children and families
• Pursue and analyze public records, health data and research to identify trends, disparities and accountability stories
• Build trusted relationships with healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates and affected families
• Report on issues impacting rural communities and underserved populations
• Consistently deliver human-centered stories powered by storytelling and supported by data and details from public records
• Translate complex health and scientific information into accessible, audience-friendly journalism
• Center equity and community voices in coverage
• Collaborate with visuals, audience and engagement teams on storytelling and distribution strategies
• Ensure stories are accompanied by powerful images and video and graphics that illustrate the data
• Participate in community listening sessions and engagement efforts
• Contribute to newsletters, social media, video or other multimedia storytelling as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field required
• Experience covering health, public policy, education or social issues
• Strong reporting, interviewing and storytelling skills
• Ability to analyze and contextualize data and research
• Understanding of healthcare systems and public health issues
• Experience with trauma-informed interviewing and sensitive topics
• Knowledge of disparities affecting rural, low-income and historically underserved communities
• Ability to produce quick-turn, enterprise and investigative stories
• Collaborative mindset and strong audience awareness
• Skill in use of data tools

About Arkansas Health Beat This position is the first role being hired as part of Arkansas Health Beat, a new statewide health reporting lab focused on addressing the poor health outcomes affecting Arkansas communities. Arkansas Health Beat will produce impactful, community-centered journalism focused on healthcare access, public health, accountability and the systems shaping the wellbeing of Arkansans across the state. The Maternal & Child Health Reporter will be one of three positions hired as part of the initiative and will play a foundational role in shaping the direction, priorities and impact of this reporting effort. The other positions we are hiring for include a dedicated health editor and a rural health reporter. We offer a complete benefits package that includes paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, personal days, and parental leave. Take advantage of extensive health, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage, as well as long-term disability and retirement plans for your future well-being. We support your well-being through the Employee Assistance Program and Behavioral Health support, offering extra help whenever you need it. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, disability, age 40 or older, or genetic information, including family medical history or any other legally protected class or status. This is a safety-sensitive position. A candidate must pass a drug screening and background checks and have a driving record that meets requirements set in the “Personal Vehicle Used for Company Business” policy.