An Apple A Day…Health-Related Markets

How big a market is out there for health?

Articles about health issues have the reputation of being "evergreen" in mass-market magazines like Redbook, Woman's Day, AARP and GQ. No matter what time of the year it is, editors will need a health-related article. There are also magazines dedicated to health and fitness: Prevention, Men's Health, Shape, etc. In addition, sports magazines often cover topics like injury prevention, injury treatment and recovery, and nutrition. So the market is vast with lots of opportunities for freelancers.

Aren't health related articles scientific?

Some of them are, but the areas most open to freelancers are personal experience pieces and tip articles. That's not to say you don't need science at all. Having an expert to validate the tips you list for weight loss, or to give you the correct medical terminology and explanations for your father's cancer treatment in your personal narrative, lends credibility to your work, especially in the eyes of an editor who doesn't know you.

Also if you have sources with the right credentials, you can write the scientific articles without being scientific yourself. The old adage to "write what you know" can be adapted to "write what you can find out and learn." Don't shy away from health articles because you struggled through high school biology. Just find a new "teacher."

Is it all about health and fitness?

While general interest and mass-market magazines aim at preventative and wellness type health articles, there are magazines that offer support and comfort to people who are dealing with illnesses or conditions. (I know pregnancy is not an illness.) Below are some of those types of magazines. Click the titles to go to their web pages. Several of them also accept material for their websites. The most common topics are coping strategies, lifestyle management/quality of life issues, debunking myths, information/advice for the newly diagnosed, advice and support for caregivers/family members, etc. The tone is generally upbeat and often has a "this is how I did it" slant.

Arthritis Today - a bimonthly magazine that covers lifestyle/quality of life topics as well as treatment and medical advice for people living with arthritis.
bp Magazine - a quarterly journal for people with bipolar disease, their families, friends and caregivers, publishes three to five features each issue of 1500-2500 words.
conceive Magazine - magazine for women who are "contemplating or actively trying to start or expand a family," you can submit personal stories to the website and you may make it into the magazine, freelance writers should submit samples, a résumé and "a few story ideas" for consideration.
MAMM - magazine "devoted to meeting the needs of women diagnosed with breast and reproductive cancer," is also aimed at the families and friends of cancer patients/survivors.
Plum Magazine - magazine for "the 35+ childbearing woman," is more general interest/lifestyle than the others, but seeks informative articles on a wide range of topics dealing with pregnancy, birthing and mothering over the age of 35.
POZ Magazine - published 10 times a year, the magazine covers the HIV epidemic here and abroad, POZ.com has articles with advice, support and information for those with HIV.

Below are some magazines seeking articles with general health and wellness slants:

ascent magazine - seeks articles on "engaged spirituality" and yoga, has an editorial schedule so query for themes before submitting.
Better Health - published by the Saint Raphael Healthcare System, it is "Connecticut's leading health and wellness magazine."
Health Magazine - women's health and lifestyle magazine, also publishes on its website.
Vibrant Lifestyle - a bimonthly magazine that "promotes physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective."