Jocelyn Wiener is an Oakland-based writer who covers health, mental health, poverty and social issues. Her stories have run in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Sacramento Bee, NPR, Kaiser Health News and other publications around the country. She is a former staff writer for The Sacramento Bee.
Jocelyn Wiener
From this contributor
Children with disabilities may wait years for essential medical equipment
Many California children with serious healthcare needs often wait months, or even years, before they receive essential medical equipment.
Children with disabilities may wait years for essential medical equipment
By
Jocelyn Wiener, California Healthline
20 July 2018 | 6 min read
Deportation a constant fear for immigrants with disabled children
As the Trump administration promises to deport a broader range of people, parents of chronically ill children are seeking help to stay in the country.
Deportation a constant fear for immigrants with disabled children
By
Jocelyn Wiener, Kaiser Health News
24 May 2017 | 9 min read
The builders: How parents shaped autism research
A group of savvy parents jump-started autism research in California, but they also set the research agenda.
The builders: How parents shaped autism research
By
Jocelyn Wiener
5 October 2016 | 21 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Neuroscience has a species problem
If our field is serious about building general principles of brain function, cross-species dialogue must become a core organizing principle rather than an afterthought.
Neuroscience has a species problem
If our field is serious about building general principles of brain function, cross-species dialogue must become a core organizing principle rather than an afterthought.
By
Nanthia Suthana
16 February 2026 | 7 min read
This paper changed my life: Ishmail Abdus-Saboor on balancing the study of pain and pleasure
A 2013 Nature paper from David Anderson’s lab revealed a group of sensory neurons involved in pleasurable touch and led Abdus-Saboor down a new research path.
This paper changed my life: Ishmail Abdus-Saboor on balancing the study of pain and pleasure
A 2013 Nature paper from David Anderson’s lab revealed a group of sensory neurons involved in pleasurable touch and led Abdus-Saboor down a new research path.
By
Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
13 February 2026 | 7 min read
Sex bias in autism drops as age at diagnosis rises
The disparity begins to level out after age 10, raising questions about why so many autistic girls go undiagnosed earlier in childhood.
Sex bias in autism drops as age at diagnosis rises
The disparity begins to level out after age 10, raising questions about why so many autistic girls go undiagnosed earlier in childhood.
By
Helena Kudiabor
13 February 2026 | 4 min read