In 13 years reporting in Chicago, previously for The Washington Post out of the midwest bureau and as a freelancer, I've felt lucky to cover a wide range of stories related to the environment, health, energy, immigration, labor and politics, among other things. Chicago provided me a crash course and an ongoing education in all these realms, giving me a home base for reporting around the US and Latin America. I've become increasingly interested in health journalism in part because it is a lens through which to examine the human impacts of our environment, working conditions and social policies. I've published three books, most recently "Revolt on Goose Island: The Chicago Factory Takeover and What it Says About the Economic Crisis." I also teach journalism at Columbia College and to youth through a non-profit program. I grew up in San Diego and came to the midwest to join the swim team (and as it turned out, get a journalism degree) at Northwestern University. My website is www.karilydersen.net.

Articles

Jobs Not Jails: What Will it Really Take?

<p>A lack of jobs, after school activities and other opportunities and resources are often blamed for the epidemic of gang activity and youth violence plaguing our country. Listening to numerous experts describe academic and first-hand experience with gangs and urban violence – including the permanent neurological and chemical impacts of this violence – during the National Health Journalism Fellowship last week, I wondered if jobs and activities for youth could really do much to quell this enormous problem with so many inter-related roots.</p>

An Electrifying Idea: Cut Carbon from the Port

<p>The Clean Trucks program and other innovations at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach have significantly reduced the diesel emissions around the ports, meaning important public health ramifications for the surrounding communities who are at higher risk of respiratory disease, cardiac disease and&nbsp; cancer because of the particulate matter and smog caused by diesel emissions.</p>

From Ships to Ports to Warehouses: The Health Effects of Moving All These Things

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