Opinion: How STAT decided to keep ‘health care’ as two words

PodcastFirst Opinion Podcast How STAT decided to keep ‘health care’ as two words An interview with our director of editorial operations Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Torie BoschJune 17, 2026 Editor, First Opinion Torie Bosch[email protected]Torie Bosch is the First Opinion editor at STAT. The medical journalism world was rocked recently when the mavens behind the Associated Press Stylebook announced a seismic change: It was embracing “healthcare” as one word, after decades of styling it as two. When the change was debuted at ACES, a conference of editors, “people cheered, there was a commotion. It seemed like it was really warmly received,” Sarah Mupo, STAT’s director of editorial operations and keeper of the STAT style guide, told me on this episode of the “First Opinion Podcast.”Advertisement “My immediate response was: What’s STAT going to do? We generally follow AP … but ‘health care’ is such a big word for STAT. It’s a cornerstone of our coverage,” Sarah said. On this episode of the “First Opinion Podcast,” my beloved colleague and I talk about how she approached making the big decision — and why a single space can carry such meeting. Be sure to sign up for the weekly “First Opinion Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get alerts about each new episode by signing up for the “First Opinion Podcast” newsletter. And don’t forget to sign up for the First Opinion newsletter, delivered every Sunday.Advertisement Submit a correction requestReprints Torie Bosch Editor, First Opinion Torie Bosch is the First Opinion editor at STAT. Newsletter Weekly alerts when a new episode drops from STAT’s First Opinion podcast Recommended First Opinion June 17, 2026 As a physician, I have never been more concerned about rates of congenital syphilis First Opinion June 17, 2026 The quiet joy of being an oncologist Advertisement First Opinion June 16, 2026 I’m an Alzheimer’s specialist. I still missed it in my own father First Opinion June 16, 2026 Congress must reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act First Opinion June 15, 2026 In many South Asian American families, a child’s autism diagnosis is a secret Subscriber Picks