Tradeoffs has earned a second-place Solutions Journalism Network Award in the audio category for reporting on innovative approaches to violence prevention.
Reported and produced by Ryan Levi and Dan Gorenstein, “How Treating Teens’ Trauma Is Stopping Violence in Chicago” explores an evidence-based approach that experts are increasingly optimistic can reduce violence among some of the highest risk and hardest to reach young people. An accompanying print story was co-published by The Marshall Project, expanding the work’s reach to people dedicated to finding solutions within the country’s criminal justice system.
“This story captures everything that I love about the work Tradeoffs does,” said Tradeoffs Managing Editor Ryan Levi. “It explained an urgent and complicated topic in a clear way; it was grounded in research and evidence; it put the experience and stories of real people at the center; and it highlighted a promising solution to one our country’s most pressing challenges.”
The story’s impact extended beyond informing audiences. After the story was published, one of the nonprofit organizations featured in the reporting told Tradeoffs that the story helped it connect with a new potential funder, supporting efforts to scale the intervention nationwide.
The Solutions Journalism Network Awards “honor and celebrate outstanding examples of solutions journalism from around the world,” across six categories. More than 900 entries from six continents were submitted to the 2024-25 competition.
This marks the second time Tradeoffs’ work has been recognized by the Solutions Journalism Network Awards. In 2023, Tradeoffs received honorable mention in the audio category for “Girls Are in a Mental Health Crisis. What Can Schools Do?”
In late 2025, Tradeoffs was also selected as one of 12 newsrooms to participate in the Solutions Journalism Revenue Accelerator, a program led by the Solutions Journalism Network and Blue Engine Collaborative that is designed to help news organizations build sustainable revenue through solutions journalism.
“Since our founding, Tradeoffs has been committed to reporting on innovative solutions to America’s health policy problems,” said Tradeoffs founder and executive editor Dan Gorenstein. “We’re honored to have our solutions-focused reporting continue to earn recognition, but more importantly, help inform health care decision-makers nationwide about promising approaches to some of the country’s most pressing challenges.”