Monday, June 18, 2012

Writing a good story

According to the NZ Herald:

Many young Aucklanders face having to pay for previously free sexual health consultations because of the Government's squeeze on health dollars.
This is expected to contribute to an increase in New Zealand's already internationally high rates of teenage pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia.
So I read on to see who is making this claim.

 [ProCare CE] Mr Hooton acknowledged that under ProCare's move "it is possible that teen pregnancy, abortion and STI rates could increase".
 So it appears to be the journalist's suggestion which, put to the 'expert', couldn't be ruled out.

That's a good trick for making attention-grabbing copy.

The subject of the story, limiting health funding in certain areas, seems to be in line with the general trend of more targeted spending, which on one hand is inequitable, but on the other tackles the problems where they are worst.

2 comments:

Chuck Bird said...

I think this move may be false economy. STDs are getting more serious. There is concern that drug resistant STDs will be more wide spread.

These are contagious diseases that will cost everyone so it might benefit the taxpayer to not charge for STD tests.

I bet there will still be free test from the AIDS Foundation at well as school supplying condoms with parents knowledge.

Adolf Fiinkensein said...

Well spotted, Lindsay.