Writing a letter to the editor of a local or national newspaper or magazine in response to a recent article is an effective way to make your voice heard.
There's no guarantee that your letter will be published, but there's a sure fire way that it won't be: if you don't write it. So when you see an article about research or funding and have something to say, write it quickly and send it into your local paper's editors.
Editors can't publish
letters they don't receive.
The newspaper's or magazine's Web site and editorial page should have contact information and guidelines for how to submit a letter. The New York Times' letters editor has written a tip sheet for ways to make your letter more publishable, offering advice that applies to most publications. In general, keep your letter short, include your full contact information, submit it soon after the original article-ideally within 24 hours-and make one point, clearly and with conviction.
Sample Letter to the Editor
This letter was written in response to the Kansas City Star's July 30 story, 'Health report allegedly blocked; A Bush appointee did not allow the release of "Call to Action on Global Health," officials say.' The Star published it a few days after the original story appeared.
What should not be lost from the recent story that senior officials may have blocked release of a surgeon general's report that called on Americans to help improve health worldwide, is the underlying message: We need to support global health and global health research
This is not an abstract concern, but one that affects national security and our future. Countries torn by epidemics and famine are politically unstable, and provide a training ground for insurgency. An investment in worldwide health through research to help treat or prevent infectious diseases, or improve crop yields can have a far-reaching impact and benefit all involved parties.
Our region has extraordinary strengths in biomedical and agricultural research, and we need support to bring our expertise to bear on these critical issues. This message should not be suppressed, but heard and supported by Missourians.
Samuel L. Stanley Jr.
St. Louis
Vice Chancellor for Research at Washington University and Director of the Midwest Regional Center for Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research