You’re a beginner health writer, and you want to practice writing health articles – but where do you begin? Is it really possible to effectively practice on your own?
The short answer is yes!
Writing health content requires clarity, accuracy, and the ability to engage readers with trustworthy, well-researched information. The good news is that you can develop these skills with regular practice and a structured approach.
Here’s how to get started and develop confidence as a health writer.
1. Choose your niche to practice writing health articles
Health writing covers a broad range of topics, from patient handouts and medical news to wellness blogs and scientific articles. Identify the areas that interest you the most and focus on writing within those topics. Some common health writing niches include:
- Public health and wellness
- Nutrition and dietetics
- Mental health
- Medical research summaries
- Patient education materials.
2. Study high-quality health articles
Read well-written health articles from reputable sources like the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mayo Clinic and Healthline.
Analyse their structure, tone, and how they present complex information in an easy-to-understand way. Pay attention to:
- Headline clarity and engagement
- Logical flow of information
- The balance between scientific accuracy and reader-friendly language.
3. Follow a structured writing process
A structured approach will help you maintain clarity and focus in your writing. Follow these steps:
- Select a topic – Pick a relevant health issue or trending topic
- Research thoroughly – Use reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals, government health websites and expert interviews
- Outline your article – Structure your content with an introduction, body and conclusion
- Write concisely – Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences
- Edit and refine – Review your work for clarity, grammar and accuracy before publishing.
4. Use reliable sources in your health writing
Health writing requires accurate information. When researching, rely on authoritative sources such as:
- Government health organisations (NHS, WHO, CDC)
- Academic research (PubMed, Google Scholar)
- Medical institutions and professional associations (British Medical Association, Mayo Clinic).
5. Practice writing different types of health articles
To build versatility, practice writing different types of health articles, including:
- How-to guides – Step-by-step health-related advice (eg “How to improve heart health naturally”)
- News summaries – Breaking down the latest health studies or research
- Patient education materials – Writing for non-expert audiences in clear, plain English
- Opinion pieces – Discussing personal perspectives on health trends, backed by evidence.
6. Write for online platforms to practice writing health articles
Publishing your work is a great way to practice writing health articles and get feedback. Consider:
- Starting a personal blog
- Writing LinkedIn articles
- Contributing to Medium or other content platforms
- Pitching to health blogs or online publications.
7. Use writing templates for better practice
Using structured templates can make writing easier and faster. Templates for different types of health articles help maintain consistency and clarity while reducing writing time.
You can find templates for health blogs, medical news, and patient education materials online.
8. Seek feedback and revise your health writing
Feedback is essential for growth.
Join writing groups, ask mentors to review your work or use online tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT to refine your writing.
Edit your drafts multiple times, focusing on clarity, readability and accuracy.
9. Stay updated with industry trends
Health writing evolves with new research and guidelines.
Stay updated by subscribing to medical newsletters, attending webinars, and following professional organisations like AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) or EMWA (European Medical Writers Association).
10. Set a writing schedule to practice writing health articles consistently
Consistency is key to improvement. Set aside time each week to practice writing health articles. Start with shorter pieces and gradually work up to longer, more detailed content.
The final word
Practicing writing health articles takes time, but by following these steps, you’ll improve your skills and build confidence in your work.
Whether you’re aiming to publish professionally or simply refine your expertise, regular writing and continuous learning will set you up for success in health communication.
Need guidance? Check out my health writing courses or health writing template package to accelerate your learning and practice effectively.
