Writing for US and UK Health Publications

The beautiful thing about writing for US and UK health publications is that health-related topics are universally appreciated. Just about anyone can benefit from reading an article about health, which makes it a prime market for freelance writers. If you're looking for an area in which to specialize, US and UK health publications might be the best bet.

The difference between writing for a health publication and writing a health article for a general interest magazine is that health publications seek in-depth articles about very specific topics. For example, you might be able to sell an article called "How to Tell if Your Child Has ADD" to a magazine like Parenting, but it wouldn't fly for a publication like Natural Living Today. If you wanted to sell it to a health publication, you'd need to talk about a specific aspect of ADD, including treatment and biological processes.

For quite a while, US and UK health publications were targeted at women between the ages of 17 and 45, but that trend has begun to change in recent years. Now you can find health magazines and trade journals for both sexes, including those directed at men, or even at male audiences over 50. There is a vast array of health magazines that target different areas of health, as well, such as those dedicated to alternative remedies or sports injuries.

If you want to write for US and UK health publications, your best bet is to become an expert in a particular area. It doesn't have to be too narrow -- you want to give yourself options -- but you do want to establish yourself as an authority. For example, if you are interested in sports injuries, you would want to read everything you can get your hands on about the dangers of sports, how sports injuries are treated and how to prevent them.