2005 Award Recipients

The 2005 Excellence in Women's Health Research Journalism Awards were presented to five outstanding journalists at an awards ceremony in New Brunswick, N.J., on October 15, 2005, during “Take Charge of Your Health,” SWHR’s first-ever conference for women consumers. Read the press release.

Barbara Feder Ostrov
San Jose Mercury News
Category: Excellence in Print Journalism Newspaper Publications
Winning Entry: “Slowly, AIDS spotlight focuses on women”
The story examines the long process of improving medical prevention efforts in AIDS for women worldwide, which requires research and appropriate support from health care policy makers.

Laura Fraser
SELF
Category: Excellence in Print Journalism Magazine Publications
Winning Entry: “Is this drug a cure or a killer?”
The article investigates the benefits and dangers of taking mifepristone, also known as RU 486. It explains the complexities of the drug approval process, the politicization of science, and manner in which some individual drugs can be used to treat very different conditions.

Margot J. Fromer
Oncology Times
Category: Excellence in Print Journalism Trade Publications
Winning Entry: “Ovarian Cancer: Search Continues for Improvements on Carboplatin-Paclitaxel Standard of Care”
The article examines why many patients do not receive appropriate care, finding that income and access to private health insurance are major barriers to the best available care. It also cites reports showing that patients and health care professionals are often unaware of current best practices and the importance of oncology specialists, which correlate with improved patient outcomes.

Alison Stewart
Consumer Health Journal
Category: Excellence in Print Journalism Internet
Winning Entry: “Study Analysis: Carbohydrates Linked to Breast Cancer”
The article provides a detailed and accessible explanation of published medical research on the connection between carbohydrates and breast cancer. Describing peer-reviewed, published research accurately and clearly for a consumer audience is what set this entry apart in its category.

“State of Affairs” (Heidi Caravan, producer)
WFPL 89.3 FM ( Louisville, Ky.)
Category: Excellence in Radio Journalism
Winning Entry: “Women and Heart Disease”
The show featured an expert panel and a call-in segment on the causes and treatments for heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and the program included information on how the disease affects women and men differently.