Welcome AHCJ participants

Beyond the divide: What Americans really agree on about health equity—and how journalists can tell the story

Despite headlines that emphasize polarization, new research from the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Solutions suggests Americans may share more common ground on health inequities than we think. This panel explores what different communities across the U.S. actually believe about the causes of—and solutions to—health disparities, and how political identity shapes those views. Panelists will unpack public attitudes toward the role of government and institutions, and why addressing inequities may be a widely supported path to fixing a system that fails too many. This session offers practical guidance on reporting more accurately, avoiding false divides, and telling stories that better reflect public consensus.