Opinion: Healthcare or health care? Help STAT decide
The Associated Press Stylebook has announced a change in the spelling of 'health care' to 'healthcare,' prompting a debate within the journalism community. STAT, which has followed AP style since its inception, is now considering whether to adopt this new guidance. The newsroom is divided on the issue, and reader opinions, especially from those in the health care industry, are being solicited.
- ▪The AP Stylebook made a significant change by declaring 'health care' should be written as one word, 'healthcare.'
- ▪STAT has used 'health care' since its founding in 2015 and is now debating whether to adopt the new AP guidance.
- ▪The newsroom is seeking input from readers, particularly those in the health care industry, on this polarizing topic.
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OpinionFirst Opinion Healthcare or health care? Help STAT decide Should we change our style guide to make it one word, or stick with two? Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article Camille MacMillin/STAT By Sarah MupoApril 28, 2026 Director of Editorial Operations Sarah Mupo[email protected] The Associated Press Stylebook, the foundational journalism guide for how newsrooms report and write their stories, made waves last week when it decreed that “health care” should now be written as one word, not two. The change, announced at the annual ACES: The Society for Editing’s conference, was prompted by shifting usage and years of appeals to make the switch. STAT closely follows AP style and has used “health care” since its founding in 2015.
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