STAT decides to keep “health care” as two words despite AP style change

STAT’s editorial team faced a dilemma after the Associated Press Stylebook announced that “healthcare” will now be written as a single word. The change, revealed at the AP Editors Conference, sparked a lively reaction among journalists.

Sarah Mupo, STAT’s director of editorial operations, explained that while the outlet usually follows AP guidelines, the term “health care” is central to its coverage. She felt the two‑word form better reflects the breadth of the topics STAT reports on.

Mupo discussed the decision on the First Opinion podcast, describing how the team weighed the stylistic shift against their brand identity. The conversation highlighted how even a small spacing choice can carry significant meaning for a publication.

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