To help reporters and editors navigate the complex and often controversial scientific, medical and political issues involved in covering global health, the University of Washington Department of Communications is sponsoring Covering Global Health, a conference for journalists on May 2-3.

A series of panels will examine topics such as climate change and emerging diseases, partnerships between drug companies and aid groups, the politics of international aid, new emerging diseases and how global health concerns affect us locally.

Other panels will feature journalists addressing the practical issues of covering global health stories: how to plan and craft stories that resonate with local audiences, how to watchdog and monitor the work of international health groups, where to find fellowships and support for overseas reporting.

Covering Global Health is co-sponsored by the UW Department of Global Health, The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, The Center for Global Studies and Washington Global Health Alliance. The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer are also conference partners.

Registration is only $35. For much information on the conference and how to register, go to http://cgh.washington.edu/ . Space is limited, so it helps to register early.