A Note From the Editor-in-Chief
I suspect many of you have received emails from, and seen social media posts by, nonprofit news organizations like Public Health Watch, reminding you that the work of such outlets is “more crucial than ever.” That’s certainly true.
In fact, our work was already crucial, and would have continued to be even if the election had gone the other way. We’re based in Texas, which ranks at or near the bottom of almost every public health measure, from access to health care to mental health treatment and prenatal care. Parts of the state are enshrouded in life-threatening air pollution, much of it a product of a petrochemical-production boom that shows no signs of slowing.
For the past three-plus years, we and our media partners have been telling you, in English and Spanish, about public health crises of which you were likely unaware. We told you about an epidemic of the fatal lung disease silicosis among immigrant fabricators of artificial-stone countertops in Southern California. We told you about a Houston-area community that’s been unwittingly bathed in the carcinogen benzene for nearly two decades with the state’s knowledge. Both of those projects have had tangible impact — stricter regulation, litigation, planned legislation, etc.
Our inclination to pursue such stories won’t change because of what happened two days ago. If anything, it will become stronger. Just four days before the election, we outlined the consequences of potential Medicaid cuts for people who lack health insurance. That story seems prescient today.
The need for our accountability journalism is acute. According to Northwestern University’s most recent “State of Local News” report, there were 8,891 daily and weekly newspapers in the United States in 2005. As of mid-2024, there were 5,591. That’s a loss of 3,300 vital news sources that can’t be replaced, even with the proliferation of nonprofit outlets like ours.
What we can do is double down on what we believe to be a successful model: Produce deeply researched, data-driven reporting in collaboration with carefully chosen local, regional and national partners. Work in Spanish when an issue disproportionately affects Latinos (e.g., a shockingly high 38% uninsured rate among Latinos in Texas). Work across media platforms — print, digital, radio, TV — to ensure that our journalism reaches the widest possible audience.
And experiment with different ways of storytelling to connect with people who might not be inclined to read a 5,000-word piece online. Next month, we’ll unveil our investigative podcast, “Fumed,” which focuses on two hardy residents of Channelview, Texas, the benzene-saturated community mentioned above. These are not your typical environmentalists. They’re Trump supporters who simply wanted to be left alone but were thrust into activism when industry encroached and no one in authority would help them. Our hope is that listeners who give “Fumed” a chance will come away with the realization that public health threats cut across race, ethnicity and political affiliation.
As I say, we’d be doing all of this regardless of the election outcome. If you’re able to support us, we’d be immensely grateful.
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