The Wellness Letter — a long-running monthly consumer health publication produced in collaboration with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health — is recruiting experienced freelance health journalists and medical writers for ongoing, recurring assignments paying $300–$800 USD per article. This is a rolling call with no closing date.
This is not lifestyle wellness content. It is evidence-driven health journalism for an educated adult audience.
About the Wellness Letter
The Wellness Letter is a science-backed consumer health publication with decades of editorial credibility behind it. Its UC Berkeley affiliation sets the editorial bar — writers are expected to translate peer-reviewed science into precise, practical guidance without oversimplification or hype. The readership is highly educated and expects disciplined, evidence-based reporting.
Writers selected join a small recurring contributor bench for consistent monthly assignments — making this a genuine long-term income stream for the right writer.
What They Cover
- Nutrition and dietary science
- Physical activity and exercise physiology
- Sleep research and behavioural health
- Preventive medicine and everyday health practices
- Clinical research interpretation for general audiences
Want to build your freelance writing career beyond health journalism? Our guide How To Become A Published & Paid Freelance Writer in Less Than 2 Weeks covers how to pitch editors, build clips, and land paid bylines across multiple sectors.
Types of Assignments & Rates
| Format | Length | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Researched feature articles | 1,000–1,200 words | $600–$800 |
| Ask the Expert pieces | 600–800 words | $350–$400 |
| WELLNESS NEWS briefs | Short analysis | $300–$400 |
Writers who demonstrate consistency may receive recurring monthly assignments.
Editorial Standards — What’s Expected
This is structured, research-led journalism — not trend writing. Key expectations:
- Clear interpretation of peer-reviewed medical research
- Strong ability to assess study design, methodology, and limitations
- Ability to distinguish correlation, causation, and speculation
- Balanced reporting of evidence strength and uncertainty
- Translation of complex biomedical concepts into accessible, authoritative language
- Tone is closer to clinical explanation than lifestyle commentary
Every major feature ends with a structured “BOTTOM LINE” section that must clearly summarise the strength and limitations of the evidence, provide actionable science-aligned guidance, and reflect nuance rather than oversimplified conclusions.
Workflow & Turnaround
- Features: 3–4 weeks from assignment to first draft
- News briefs: 1–2 weeks turnaround
- Multiple revision rounds should be expected — especially for new contributors
- New contributors typically begin with shorter assignments before advancing to features
Key Requirements
- Proven experience in health journalism, medical writing, or science reporting
- Ability to read and interpret full peer-reviewed journal articles independently
- Understanding of epidemiology, clinical study design, and evidence hierarchies
- Strong editorial discipline and clean drafting ability
- Experience writing for educated, non-specialist audiences
- Preference given to writers with experience serving informed, older audiences
How to Apply
Deadline
Rolling — apply anytime.
What to Send
- A short introduction highlighting your experience in consumer health or medical writing
- 2–3 relevant writing samples — evidence-based reporting strongly preferred
- Your typical turnaround time for feature-length assignments
📧 editors@wellnessletteronline.com
Tips for a Strong Application
Lead with your science literacy, not your writing credits. The Wellness Letter is not hiring for style — it’s hiring for the ability to read a clinical trial and report it accurately. In your introduction, name specific study types you’ve worked with (RCTs, meta-analyses, cohort studies) and show you understand their limitations.
Match your samples to their format. If you have a published piece that includes a “bottom line” style summary, evidence assessment, or explicit discussion of study limitations — lead with that sample. It demonstrates you already write the way they publish.
Be honest about turnaround capacity. Features require 3–4 weeks. Overpromising speed and underdelivering on a rigorous first assignment ends recurring relationships quickly.
Want to build your freelance writing career beyond health journalism? Our guide How To Become A Published & Paid Freelance Writer in Less Than 2 Weeks covers how to pitch editors, build clips, and land paid bylines across multiple sectors.
