Writing For Health Magazines

by Gary McLaren

By Gary McLaren

Freelance writing for health publications will not only keep you on the edge of the latest trends and advice for maintaining a healthy mind and body - it can also be healthy for your bank account.

Freelance writers produce articles covering a range of diverse topics including nursing, disabilities, diseases, prevention and cure, health research and education, alternative treatments and more.

On the technical writing side medical writers also work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, writing materials that include regulatory documents, investigative drug brochures, and clinical study protocols.

There is a good demand for health writing and this is a growing industry. Consider for a moment for 76 million baby boomers that have been entering their fifties. They are worrying more about their health. They want to lose weight. They are trying to get fit. They want to prevent disease and remain as healthy as possible.

It is not just the boomers, of course. Everyone wants to be healthy and avoid sickness in order to feel better and enjoy life.

Here Are A Few Examples of Health Publications

The following are just a few examples of health publications that you could work for as a freelance writer.

Arthritis Today
A national consumer health magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation. Contains information about arthritis research, treatment, self-care and emotional coping. This publication pays up to $2,000 for feature articles of up to 2,000 words.
Guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/arthritistoday

Cure
A publication for those with cancer and their caregivers. Providing the latest cancer updates‚ research, and education. Pays freelance writers $1.00 per word. Guidelines:
http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/page.show/id/40

Diabetes Health
Providing patients, educators and healthcare professionals with practical advice and the latest information on new methods, technologies and research related to diabetes. Payment varies with experience and length of article.
Guidelines: http://www.diabeteshealth.com/writersguidelines.html

Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS)
A leading voice in emergency medicine and prehospital care. The
readers consist of EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physicians, EMS
managers, administrators and educators. Pays $200 to $400 for
features on publication.
Guidelines: http://www.jems.com/about/contact_us.html

NurseWeek
Accepts articles for publication that provide interesting, timely,
and up-to-date information and resources for practicing nurses.
Must have nursing qualifications. Paying market.
Guidelines: http://www.nurse.com/ce/WritersGuide.html

OHS Canada
Canadian magazine for people who make decisions about health and safety in the workplace. Contents include features dealing with trends, new developments and emerging issues in health and safety, as well as case studies and profiles of innovative and successful programs.
Guidelines: http://www.ohscanada.com/contactus/writing.asp

In addition to specialty health magazines, remember that you can also write about health topics for hundreds of other magazines, such as family magazine or men’s and women’s interest publications. For example there are more than 200 publications that are looking for health-related material in the Markets Plus writing markets database at WorldwideFreelance.com

There are also some good organizations and associations for medical writers. Here are several of them.

American Medical Writers Association
http://www.amwa.org

Australasian Medical Writers Association
http://www.medicalwriters.org

European Medical Writers Association
http://www.emwa.org

Health Sciences Communications Association
http://www.hesca.org

National Association of Medical Communicators
http://www.ibiblio.org/namc/

World Association of Medical Editors
http://www.wame.org

So be healthy. Be wise. And become a health writer. It’s a great niche for freelance writers.

About the Author

Gary McLaren is the editor of Worldwide Freelance Writer. For more information on freelance writing and a database of more than 2,400 writing markets, visit http://www.WorldwideFreelance.com