Meet the Team

Heidi de Marco

Health Reporter

Heidi de Marco is an award-winning photojournalist and health reporter who has focused her work on producing multimedia stories that help humanize the complex health and humanitarian issues impacting marginalized and vulnerable communities in the United States and abroad.

Most recently, she covered health care and policy for KFF Health News from the Southern California bureau where she produced bilingual multimedia stories for news outlets nationwide.

Previously, Heidi was a freelance video journalist and photographer specializing in covering social disparities, health, and general news abroad.

She has a bachelor’s degree in international journalism from DePaul University, a post-graduate diploma in multimedia journalism from an International Center for Journalists sponsored program in India, and a certificate in Spanish-language broadcast journalism from UCLA.

She has extensive multimedia training, is HEFAT certified (Hostile Environment and First Aid Training), and has spent more than a decade covering health. Her work has been published in The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, CNN, PBS Newshour, The Washington Post, TIME, Radio Bilngüe, The New York Times, NPR and La Opinión, among others.

MORE STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR

Health

Advocates say revised Medi-Cal cuts still harm immigrant communities

Heidi de Marco

California lawmakers scaled back Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed Medi-Cal cuts this week. But critics say the revised plan still unfairly targets the immigrant community.
Health

Health experts warn new COVID vaccine policy could worsen health gaps in San Diego

Heidi de Marco

A new federal COVID-19 vaccine policy is raising alarms among San Diego doctors and advocates. They worry it could deepen existing health disparities and leave low-income communities of color at greater risk.
Health

Experts warn new FDA COVID vaccine policy overlooks long-term risks

Heidi de Marco

The Food and Drug Administration is changing how it handles COVID-19 vaccines starting this fall, limiting access to older adults and those with certain medical conditions. But some health experts said the move could leave too many people at risk.
Health

El Cajon skilled nursing facility kitchen temporarily shut down for ‘major’ health violations

Heidi de Marco

County inspectors found a vermin infestation and other violations at San Diego Post Acute Center, prompting a temporary closure of its kitchen.
Health

UC San Diego study explores why women are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s

Heidi de Marco

Researchers are exploring how sleep, diet, and activity may fuel inflammation and lead to Alzheimer’s disease in women.
Health

Advocates warn Medi-Cal freeze for immigrants could backfire

Heidi de Marco

Advocates warn Governor Newsom’s plan to freeze Medi-Cal access for immigrants without legal status could raise health care costs and reduce care for California’s most vulnerable.