A health writer serves as a link between the world of medical science and the audiences who need to understand it. These professionals are skilled communicators who create content about health and medicine. They translate complex, technical information into clear and accurate language, ensuring that patients, consumers, and other healthcare professionals can make informed decisions.
What Does a Health Writer Do
A health writer’s primary function is to research, write, and edit content related to health and medicine. Their work involves reviewing scientific literature, clinical trial data, and interviewing subject matter experts to gather information. They then synthesize this material, tailoring the language and tone to suit a specific audience.
The role extends beyond writing, as they often collaborate with doctors, scientists, and other professionals to ensure the information is presented responsibly. This process demands a blend of writing talent and a solid understanding of medical concepts to educate their readers.
Types of Health Writing
- Consumer Health Content: This type of writing is created for the general public and focuses on making health topics understandable and relatable. Content can take many forms, such as blog posts, articles for health websites, and patient education pamphlets, with the goal of empowering individuals to manage their health effectively.
- Medical Communications: Often called “medcomms,” this specialization targets healthcare professionals. Writers produce materials that help doctors and scientists stay current with the latest research, including content for continuing medical education (CME) programs and articles for peer-reviewed medical journals.
- Healthcare Marketing and Advertising: In this niche, health writers create promotional materials for pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare organizations. While the content must be persuasive, it is also heavily regulated to ensure all claims are accurate and compliant with industry standards.
- Regulatory and Technical Writing: This is a highly specialized area focused on creating documents required by government agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Regulatory writers prepare clinical study reports and submission documents that are extremely detailed and must adhere to strict legal guidelines.
Essential Skills for Health Writers
Strong writing and language skills are required, including good grammar and the ability to structure information logically. Writers must convey complex scientific information with clarity, making it accessible without sacrificing accuracy. This often involves storytelling to make dense topics more engaging for the reader.
A deep understanding of medical and scientific concepts is also necessary, including familiarity with medical terminology and the ability to interpret clinical data. Strong research skills are needed to find and critically evaluate information from reputable sources to ensure accuracy. Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and content strategy has also become important for reaching online audiences.
Common Career Paths and Work Environments
Health writers can work as freelancers or as in-house employees. Freelancers operate their own businesses, working with multiple clients on a project basis, which offers flexibility but can mean inconsistent work. In-house writers are employed by a single organization, providing a more stable career path.
The employers of health writers are diverse. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are major employers, as are hospitals and healthcare systems. Government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also hire writers. Opportunities also exist within medical communication agencies, marketing firms, and non-profit organizations.
How to Become a Health Writer
Most health writers have a background in science, journalism, or a related field, with a bachelor’s degree in a life science, English, or communications being a common start. For more technical roles like regulatory writing, an advanced degree such as a master’s or Ph.D. may be beneficial.
Aspiring writers should focus on building a strong portfolio of writing samples. This can be achieved through guest blogging, volunteering for non-profits, or taking on small freelance projects. Networking with professionals through organizations like the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) can open doors to opportunities. Taking specialized courses in medical writing can also help bridge skill gaps.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
The career outlook for health writers is positive, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth for technical writers, which includes medical writers. This demand is driven by an aging population, ongoing medical research, and the increasing need for clear health information online. New drugs and medical technologies continually create a need for new documentation.
Salaries for health writers vary based on experience, specialization, and employment type. According to recent data, the average salary for a health writer in the United States is approximately $80,371 annually. Those in specialized roles, such as regulatory writing, may earn significantly more, with some salaries exceeding $137,000. Freelance rates can also vary widely depending on the writer’s expertise.