Bloomberg News reporter Natasha Khan is based in Bloomberg’s Hong Kong news bureau, where she covers the Health and Science beat, with a focus on Asia. With undergraduate degrees in business administration and law and a master’s degree in journalism, she brings a wealth of experience and perspective to Bloomberg’s healthcare and science coverage. Khan was born and raised in Hong Kong and joined Bloomberg after earning her master’s degree from the University of Hong Kong.
We recently spoke with Natasha to discuss her experience covering health and science in Asia.
What are some of the unique challenges you face covering the Health and Science beat in Asia?
The challenges are what make this job so exciting – our coverage areas are constantly changing and developing. From the evolution of the pharmaceutical and health care industry to the rise of chronic and infectious diseases (and what governments do in response), rapid economic growth in the region means that the health care story is dynamic and always changing. This makes staying on top of the story crucial.
Another challenge is access to information and data. In some countries that we cover, information is not as readily available. That’s when it’s especially important to speak with experts and sources that can help provide information, insight and contacts.
What stories have you recently worked on that you’ve been particularly proud of? What aspects of those stories stand out in your mind?
I’m particularly proud of the China Alzheimer’s story my Beijing-based colleague Daryl Loo and I published late in January. Alzheimer’s is surging in China, and I think our story goes in depth into an issue that hasn’t been covered adequately.
Other stories that I am proud of are an October piece where we wrote on the likely return of H7N9 bird flu, which was published just as China began announcing new cases. Another is an August story on scientific research on bats conducted in the region that could unlock the secret of human longevity. I’m proud of these stories, as they inform our readers of what’s happening within the health landscape in the region.
What advantages do you enjoy as a Bloomberg reporter that others on the beat might not?
I feel very privileged to be a part of such a talented and enterprising global health team. I love that I can collaborate with my colleagues across the world, and that we’re able to add an extra global dimension to our stories.