Media Insight: The Plain Dealer

1801 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114

Cleveland is one of the nation's meccas for healthcare with two top hospitals in its backyard - The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, so getting ink in The Plain Dealer can be tough. But the paper, with a circulation of 400,000, is refreshingly open to a full range of health-related story ideas and devotes at least four key sections to industry news - the weekly health section, the business section, A-section (hard news) and the woman's section.

The editors, who are approachable, have a vast need for the latest in healthcare developments, products and trends but have a short fuse when it comes to the hundreds of PR callers who want to know whether a fax was received or a press release considered. Their best advice: Fax or mail your press releases and media kits with the confidence that they will be reviewed, but leave the ball in their court. If they are interested, they will follow up. Here we look at the health section (published every Monday) and the business section.

SECTIONS: Health section TPD's weekly health section covers consumer-oriented features and trends. It focuses on prevention and wellness but steers away from products and procedures that claim to be "cure alls."

Hot areas of coverage include fitness, nutrition, alternative treatments and product reviews.

EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Health & Fitness Editor, Fran Henry, Fax: 216/515-2033, Phone:216/999-4800,

METHODS: Faxing or mailing story ideas to the health section is best.

When sending photos, submit color.

COMMENTS: The health features focus on helping readers take control of their health with prevention and wellness information.

Pitch stories that aren't too technical and provide tips on how people can manage their heatlh, particularly in the areas of diabetes, cardiovascular conditions. Women's health and overall fitness and nutrition, also are considered key topics.

SECTIONS: Business section News will have a national and local angle on managed care trends and policies. However, hospital coverage primarily is local.

EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Business Reporter, Diane Solov, Fax: 216/999-6355, Phone:216/999-4800

METHODS: Faxing or mailing story ideas to the business section is best.

COMMENTS: Health stories that run in this section include business-oriented events and executive management decisions. Hot areas of coverage are Medicare, Medicaid, pharmaceuticals and hospitals.

Key Editiorial Staff

Main Number: 216/999-4800

Fran Henry, Health & Fitness Editor

Diane Solov, Business Reporter

Recent Health Articles in The Plain Dealer

The Latest in Alternative Healthcare

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