Narrative Matters
Narrative Matters is the peer-reviewed, personal-essay section of the policy journal Health Affairs. Begun in 1999, it publishes literary nonfiction--based on firsthand encounters--that carry a policy message. These “policy narratives” link a story or anecdote to the big picture. They relate a strong incident or anecdote that draws the reader in and puts the policy issue on the table.
“Narrative Matters showcases some of health care's most stunning writing. The stories are moving, eloquent, and often unforgettable.”--Atul Gawande, M.D.
New at Narrative Matters
A Tale Of Dollars, Pediatrics, And Late-Night Calls About Infant Constipation
In accounting terms, nighttime phone help from a doctor was deemed to lose money. In human terms, it was priceless.
John Lantos
Podcast Topic Collections
Patients' Stories
Race and Ethnicity
Vulnerable Children
Global Health
Cost of Care
End of Life
Ethical Dilemmas
Career Crossroads
Disabilities
Medical Education
Medical Errors
Business Of Health
AgingCurrent Issue
- From the Editor-in-Chief
- Access Declines for Adults over Past Decade
- Differences in Medicaid Enrollment Rates
- Will ACA Reduce Disparities in Uninsurance?
- Coverage Gains for Ex-Prisoners
- States Shifting Costs for Younger Dual Eligibles?
- A New Look at Variations
- Influence of the Relative Value Update Committee
- Providers' Market Power
- Simplifying the Choices in Insurance Exchanges
- Mental Health Care for Medicaid-Eligible Kids
- Coverage and Addiction Disorders Treatment
- Potential Savings from Consumer-Directed Plans
- 'Grand-Aides' for Primary Care
- Shared Decision Making Obstacles
- Japan's Success in Containing Costs
- China's Health Reforms
- Overprescribing in China
- View Table of Contents »
- Health Affairs Briefing: The Care Span For The Elderly And Disabled 24 May 2012
- Most Individual Polices Would Not Meet Affordable Care Act Standards 24 May 2012
- Health Care Economics 101 And The Supreme Court 23 May 2012
- Six Strategic Variables In Predicting The Impact Of Accountable Care 22 May 2012
- Implementing Health Reform: The Premium Tax Credit Final Rule 20 May 2012
- Americans’ Thoughts on the Role of the United States in Global Health: Foundation Survey 24 May 2012
- The Joplin, Missouri, Tornado: Director’s Cut; How a Foundation Has Been Helping 22 May 2012
- Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias: What Are Foundations Doing to Increase Knowledge and Prevent Suffering? 18 May 2012
- Foundation Funding to Eliminate Food Deserts and to Improve Oral Health 15 May 2012
- Should California Establish a Basic Health Program for Certain Low-Income Residents? 10 May 2012
- "Value In Cancer Care" Event April 12, 2012
- Amy Berman - "Living Life In My Own Way—And Dying That Way As Well" Narrative Matters April 09, 2012
- Teeb Al-Samarrai - "Adrift In Africa: A US Medical Resident On An Elective Abroad" Narrative Matters April 04, 2012
- Laurie McClellan - "Chronic Lyme Disease: It's Time To Solve The Medical Mystery Inside An Enigma" Narrative Matters March 05, 2012
- Antibiotics being overprescribed for sinusitus - WTOP Interview February 15, 2012
- Trends in The Adoption of Health Information Technology April 25, 2012
- Value In Cancer Care April 12, 2012
- Confronting the Growing Diabetes Crisis January 10, 2012
- Growth In US Health Spending 2010 January 09, 2012
- The Ongoing Quality Improvement Journey: Next Stop, High Reliability
- Growth Of Consumer-Directed Health Plans To One-Half Of All Employer-Sponsored Insurance Could Save $57 Billion Annually
- Living Life In My Own Way—And Dying That Way As Well
- A Decade Of Health Care Access Declines For Adults Holds Implications For Changes In The Affordable Care Act
- Growth Of Consumer-Directed Health Plans To One-Half Of All Employer-Sponsored Insurance Could Save $57 Billion Annually
- The Growing Power Of Some Providers To Win Steep Payment Increases From Insurers Suggests Policy Remedies May Be Needed
- Authoritarian Physicians And Patients’ Fear Of Being Labeled ‘Difficult’ Among Key Obstacles To Shared Decision Making
- A Decade Of Health Care Access Declines For Adults Holds Implications For Changes In The Affordable Care Act
- Living Life In My Own Way—And Dying That Way As Well
- An Analysis Of Whether Higher Health Care Spending In The United States Versus Europe Is ‘Worth It’ In The Case Of Cancer
- Urologists’ Self-Referral For Pathology Of Biopsy Specimens Linked To Increased Use And Lower Prostate Cancer Detection
- An Actuarial Analysis Shows That Offering Lung Cancer Screening As An Insurance Benefit Would Save Lives At Relatively Low Cost
- Hospitals’ Geographic Expansion In Quest Of Well-Insured Patients: Will The Outcome Be Better Care, More Cost, Or Both?